Loved ones are mourning the death of DeeDe Ann Crigler, who many described as a community pillar and a woman who sacrificed all she had for her hometown of Barstow.
Crigler was 59 when she died on July 31, after her battle with esophageal cancer, according to her friend, Nicki Bourgeois.
“DeeDe had the rare gift of making everyone feel like they mattered,” Bourgeois said. “She had a heart big enough to carry an entire community.”
Bourgeois said a memorial service for Crigler will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 13 at First Baptist Church, 1320 Barstow Road in Barstow.
Barstow Woman of the Year
A sample of Crigler’s contributions to the community included serving as longtime director of the Miss Barstow Pageant and executive director of the United Way.
Crigler also volunteered with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, March of Dimes and multiple organizations.
She also worked for Barstow Community Hospital, Eddie World and Barstow Transfer and Storage.
Over the years, Crigler was honored for her volunteerism and advocacy, including picking up the 2009 Barstow Woman of the Year crown from the Barstow Chamber of Commerce.
Her biggest achievement was spending time with family and continuing to grow her community, which she considered family, Bourgeois said.
She added that Crigler and Herman Crigler were married for 33 years before his beloved wife passed away.
Shaping the heart of Barstow
Barstow Mayor Tim Silva closed out Tuesday’s council meeting by sharing about Crigler and offering a moment of silence.
Over the decades, Crigler shaped the heart of Barstow by dedicating her time, her energy and her heart, all without desiring recognition, Silva said. The mayor shared about Crigler’s volunteerism and countless fundraising efforts for veterans, youth organizations and other groups.
“If there was a young person who needed encouragement, she was there to mentor them,” Silva said. “If there was a cause that benefitted Barstow, chances are DeeDe had already rolled up her sleeve and gotten to work.”
A rare gift
Bourgeois said every time she closes her eyes, another memory of Crigler comes rushing back into her mind, with some making her laugh and cry.
Some of those memories included countless adventures the two shared, along with final “precious nights” sitting beside her, holding her hand, telling her she was there, telling her how much she loved her, and thanking Crigler for everything she’s meant to her.
Bourgeois said Crigler gave so much of herself to Barstow, to her pageant family, to her friends, to complete strangers, and to anyone who needed someone in their corner.
“She never asked for recognition. She simply loved people, and she loved with everything she had,” Bourgeois added.
Mentor, teacher, advisor
Miss Barstow Pageant officials said their group is mourning the “loss of the heart of our organization.”
“While we find comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering, our hearts are shattered by the loss of someone who meant so much to so many,” the pageant said.
Pageant officials said Crigler was far more than a director.
“She was our mentor, our teacher, our advisor, and the steady voice that guided us through every challenge and every celebration,” pageant officials stated. “She believed in people long before they believed in themselves, and she poured her heart into generations of young women, volunteers, and this community she loved so deeply.”
Crigler leaves behind daughter, Justina Crigler, son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Jamie McBride; son and daughter-in-law, Joshua and Alexandria Crigler, and daughter, Ambrea Crigler, who died shortly after birth.
Additional family members included parents Butch and Nancy Goodwin, and stepmother Denise Madrid. Also siblings Kimberly Heald, Melissa Madrid-Odom, Brian Madrid, and Donny Goodwater (deceased).
Foster daughter and boyfriend, Jessie McKinnon and Ty Silva. And grandchildren Tiffany Johnson-McBride, Hailey McBride, Lexi McBride, Jayden McBride, Ezariah Crigler, Bodie McBride, and Haisley Crigler.
Online monetary donations to help lay Deede to rest can be made online at Meal Train for The Crigler Family page at mealtrain.com.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Barstow’s DeeDe Ann Crigler to be remembered
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
