Esther "Jean" Craig

Jean Craig (Crosby)

September 12, 1927 – June 10, 2026

Jean Craig, 98, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026, at Garden Courte Memory Care in Olympia, WA. In true Jean fashion, she left this world the same way she entered it—in her birthday suit.

Born on a kitchen table in Otter, MT, to Oma and Harry Crosby, She was named after Oma's sister Esther, Jean was the youngest of the siblings, sister Dorothy and Harry. The family moved to a farm in Sheridan WY, where she enjoyed riding the family horse "Goldie" and bottle-feeding the "bummer" lambs. The kids would occasionally go listen to Oma play piano at the local dance hall. 

Oma and the kids later moved to Seattle WA, where Jean graduated from Lincoln High in 1945. Jean met her first husband, Dick Clintworth, in Seattle. They welcomed a son Jim in 1949 and a daughter Carol in 1951. 

The family moved to Olympia, where Dick's Optical Business was located. Jean worked as a teller at Seafirst Bank and also was a Cub Scout den mother. Jean and Dick divorced in the 1950's. She met her second husband Gordy Craig, when he delivered groceries to her house on Bates St.

Jean married Gordy, on his 24th birthday so he would never forget their anniversary. The welcomed daughter Debbie in 1960. They lived in a duplex on Jefferson St. In 1962, the family, along with Jim, moved into their newly constructed home on Sleater Kinney RD.  Jean was a stay-at-home Mom while Debbie was in elementary school, she volunteered as a room mother at her school. Jean eventually went to work as the Office Manager at the family business, Eastside Plumbing and Heating on Lilly Rd. she also opened up Jean's Bath Boutique, where she sold towels, bath rugs, shower curtains and other bathroom accessories. 

In 1973, Gordy, Jean and Deb moved into Gordy's newly remodeled family home next door to the business. They took in many a stray cat that would show up at the door. With the fenced-in backyard, the family raised six Basset Hounds through the years until 1999. St. Peter Hospital was located just up the street from their home, so there was a howling good time, when the ambulances and Medics would go up the street.

When Jean married Gordy, he was a member of the Capitol City Cogs, a local drag-racing club. She became member of the pit crew, and traveled to many races in Seattle and Arlington, as well as Woodburn, OR, Pomona CA, Indianapolis, IN, and Mission in British Columbia Canada, with their dragsters, "Old Lady Trouble" and later the "White Tornado", and yes, it was white. The crew wore white pants, shirts and cloth tennis shoes. Jean became a champion of getting all the grease and oil out of all that white clothing. She was also a master at repacking the parachute after every run.

After retiring from Racing, they started making yearly hunting trips with Gordy's high school buddy Ted Erickson and his wife Yvonne in Republic, WA at Tiffany's resort. While the men were out hunting grouse and deer, the ladies would fish for trout from the dock in front of their cabin. The women had more luck at fishing, than the men had at hunting. Over the years, they made friends with the other hunters, and each cabin took turns during the week to invite the others in for dinner. There were many good meals and good times had by all.

Following retirement, they spent vacations, exploring new places including, Sydney and Cairns, Australia, Auckland, New Zealand. A road trip to Little Big Horn, the Badlands of SD, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Cody, WY and Yellowstone National Park. In later years, Jean cherished memorable family trips to Walt Disney World and a final Mother's Day trip to New York City in 2017 to fulfill her lifelong dream of seeing the Statue of Liberty. 

The Family would like to express thanks to the Staff of Garden Courte Memory Care Facility and South Puget Sound Hospice for the great care and comfort they provided for Jean.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Gordy; daughter, Carol; sister, Dorothy; and brother, Harry. She is survived by her son, Jim Clintworth (Gena), and daughter, Debbie. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity in her name.