Vernita Dolores Crowley

Vernita Dolores (Shaw) Crowley was born April 20, 1928, in the Payette, Idaho Maternity Hospital to Lula (Jackson), a schoolteacher, and Roy J. Shaw, a local orchard owner and farmer, of Fruitland. Both her parents were children of homesteaders to the upper country around Council and Indian Valley.

Vernita was raised in Fruitland. Although Vernita didn’t immediately like school (she was known to sneak off the school bus at later stops and walk back home to play), she became a good student and enjoyed life-long friendships with her schoolmates.

She attended the College of Idaho and the University of Idaho before marrying Jimmie Whitmore, her high school sweetheart. She raised their three children before returning to Boise State, where she completed her Bachelors of Education in 1971.

Vernita taught in New Plymouth and, later, in Fruitland schools. She also worked for many years on the line and in the office of American Fine Foods.

After her first marriage ended, Vernita married Fred Crowley, a local pharmacist, and they remained happily married until Fred’s death in 1993.

Today, we might have called Vernita a soccer mom. She shuttled her children to baseball practice, dance lessons, art classes, and music lessons. She traveled to Little League and Babe Ruth games and junior high and high school basketball and football games (Go Grizzlies!). She created dance costumes and parade costumes, sometimes making final alterations just before finding her seat in the crowd. Vernita was proud of her family and was at least as proud of her grandchildren. As a grandmother, she was more than happy to serve as after-school child sitter and, yet again, as chauffeur to more dance classes, music classes, and sporting events. She was even available in a pinch to drive young skiers to the slopes, although she did not ski herself. And, of course, she lent an ear and a hug to help mend a broken heart when needed.

Vernita was a woman of many talents and interests. She enjoyed going with friends to the big dance hall at Gay Way in the 1940’s and was one of the best swing dancers around. She, like many women of her generation, could knit, sew, do needlepoint, can, and cook.

After her children moved away from home, she took up oil painting, filled her home with her landscapes and still life paintings, and shared her work with friends and family. Vernita enjoyed gardening, especially growing roses, and Fred gave her new rose starts on special occasions.

Active in the community, Vernita was a lifetime member of the Fruitland Methodist church, where she sang in the choir, participated in women’s service organizations, and served on the church board. She was particularly proud of working on the church centennial celebration and co-authoring a book with her friend Holly Hutchinson that covered the history of Fruitland and the church.

When her children were young, Vernita was a Cub Scout den mother. For many years, she proudly served as a poll worker and counted votes in local, state, and national elections. Vernita was also active in the Lorraine Chapter of the Eastern Star in Payette as worthy matron and past matron.

An avid Boise State football fan, Vernita watched or listened to every game. She always wore Bronco colors on game days.

While Fred was alive, the couple enjoyed traveling throughout the continental US and to Hawaii.

When Fred became ill, in his final days, Vernita took care of him at home with hospice support, despite her own health challenges.

After Fred’s death, Vernita occasionally traveled on her own to visit her children and made one memorable trip to the Middle East and Jerusalem. When she could no longer travel, Vernita enjoyed visits with her grandchildren and children and weekly Zoom video calls with family.

Vernita passed away peacefully on April 4, 2026 surrounded by the love of her family members. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, and a proud member of the Fruitland community, one of the last of an old-time Fruitland generation. We will miss her deeply.

Vernita was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Lula Shaw, her husband Fred Crowley, her brother Leroy (Bud) Shaw of New Plymouth; her sister Wanda Parr of Ephrata, Washington; and her daughter Sandy Hemenway of Fruitland. She is survived by her son Brian Whitmore of Talent, Oregon; daughter Marcia Whitmore (and husband Jack Sutton) of Lexington, Alabama; son-in-law Tom Hemenway of Fruitland; grandson Kelley (and wife Carissa) Hemenway of Boise; grandson Shawn (and wife Anja and great grandson Cole) Hemenway of Boise; grandson Joel (and wife Lisa and great granddaughter Olivia, great grandson Brannin, and great granddaughter Lyla) Hemenway of New Plymouth; granddaughter Erin ( Emmy Lou, Nelson, and Rossi) Hemenway of Fruitland; and many beloved relatives and friends.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Canyon Home Care and Hospice, the staff of Grace Assisted Living, the staff of Dorian Place, and the pastor and members of the Fruitland United Methodist Church.

If you would like to make a memorial donation, the family suggests United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the American Cancer Society, or the American Heart Association.

An outdoor memorial celebration for Vernita is planned in Fruitland for the afternoon of Friday, April 17. A graveside gathering for family and others who wish to attend will take place at the New Plymouth cemetery at 1:30 pm. At 3:00 pm, a celebration of life service will be held for Vernita at Creekside Ranch, 7701 Elmore Road in Fruitland.