On January 23, 2021, Patricia “Bee” Crawley passed away, leaving the world a little darker for the loss of her light. A wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, nurse, advocate, she met life’s challenges head-on, finding her passion in a career being of service to others.  This passion led her to put herself through nursing school, graduating from Purdue University’s Calumet campus in May of 1981.

She started her nursing career in 1982 at St. Catherine’s Hospital in East Chicago, IN; a career that would last nearly 40 years, spanning roles in telemetry nursing, critical care, case management, quality management and risk assessment, and others.  She also took on opportunities for community outreach including teaching CPR and First Aid skills in the community, volunteering at shelters and free clinics, and supporting the education of student nurses.  She would go on to obtain her Bachelors of Nursing from Purdue University Calumet in spring of 2011, and achievement of which she was very proud. Along the way she touched countless lives; from the patients she cared for, to the young nurses she helped mentor and support, to the physicians and healers she interacted with in her various roles on a day-to-day basis.

Married in 1984 to Douglas Crawley, she enjoyed her role as a wife and mother to her two children with Douglas as well as her eldest daughter.  She was also an avid sports fan, tuning in via television or radio for every Cubs game, and taking every opportunity to cheer on the Blackhawks. Her annual trip downtown with her son to watch the Cubs play was a favorite activity.  She took her passion for helping others into volunteer work, serving as secretary for the Dyer Lions, and volunteering in support of the VFW Post 6448 at several town events each year. She loved playing bingo, and was known in the local Bingo halls as a regular on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Bee passed peacefully in her own home, surrounded by family and love.  Preceded in death by her father, Waldo O’Dell, her mother Delores O’Dell, her older brother Michael O’Dell, various friends and loved ones.  She is survived by her husband, Douglas Crawley, their children Edward Crawley and Elizabeth (Ryan) Zurek, her grandchildren Daniel and Matthew Zurek, her oldest daughter Sharon Ecim along with her children Orion and Cheyenne, her brother Robert O’Dell, and countless friends she held dear.

A tireless advocate for healthcare and safety, she was outspoken about taking precautions in light of the global pandemic. With this in mind, a memorial service to remember Bee and celebrate her life has been scheduled for July 18, 2021, allowing time for vaccinations to become more prevalent and COVID-19 disease spread to slow. Friends can visit with the family on Sunday, July 18, 2021 from 2:00-5:00 pm with a Memorial Service at 4:00 pm at Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Avenue in Munster, IN.  In lieu of flowers, donations to Northwestern’s Liver Transplant Services can be made to Northwestern Memorial Foundation, 541North Fairbanks Court, Suite 800 Chicago, IL 60611 in memory of Bee Crawley. Donations can be made by phone at 833-443-8663, or online via https://foundation.nm.org/