Cindy Pearl Crawley

Tinty-Poo is how a proud 3-year-old big sister pronounced the name of her brand-new baby sister, Cindy Pearl. And now Tinty-Poo has gone back home to be in heaven (October 2, 2024), and we are all left with hearts that ache… But make no mistake, our hearts hurt for us, not for Cindy, she has not felt this good in over a year!

Cindy Pearl (Smith)Crawley came into this world on December 12, 1956, the third child of Harry and Mary Alice Smith, born at the old Dee Hospital in Ogden Utah. The HC Smith Clan resided in Utah until 1965 when her dad, took a job in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It was an exciting adventure and time for the entire family; Canada holds many fond memories for Cindy, chilly weather excluded. Cindy graduated from high school in 1976 and served a mission in Indianapolis, Indiana she attended Rick’s College and BYU Hawaii. There she specialized in early childhood education with a minor in Tropical Enjoyment (and we are told underwater basket weaving). Cindy resided mostly in Canada until 1999.

The pride of Cindy Life’s work is undoubtedly her Children: EJ (Madi) Pauni, Amy (Austin) Arnold, Nick (Heather) Crawley, Jessica Inoke, Mary (Jakob) Johnson ... all of her children, including Grand-Kids (a dozen or more at last count), Step-Kids, Foster-Kids, probably Your- kids and My-kids too! Cindy has a special love and talent for all things kids and took immense pride in helping improve the lives of children. Not just her talent, but undoubtedly a gift from Heaven and she devoted her life to it!

Cindy is one of Gods special angels that was sent to help show us the way … not in words as much as in action. Scripture tells us that

“Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth to unto life and few there be that find it,” honestly, most of us take the long way around. It takes longer and we need people like Cindy to guide us on our errant path. Hard work, Be Kind, be your kid’s best friend, have fun and laugh often especially when all you want to do is cry, be a teacher and be someone’s hero; Words Cindy embodied. Cindy’s youngest, Mary said this song sums up Mom perfectly:

 I bet you could’ve used a minute

Just a little time alone

But you let me be your little shadow

Followin’ wherever you would go.

Then I got a little older

And you gave me space to grow

I don’t ever seem to tell you enough, but

I want you to know.

When God made you my mother

He knew who I’d need

When he picked you from the others

He could already see

That you would be my hero

And everything I wanna be

When God made you my mother

He was bein’ good to me

(Donna King & Riley Jane Roth)

 Cindy met a man named Scott Crawley; the Love of her life, and they married July 2,1999 and sealed for time and all eternity, but today Scott’s heart is more broken than any other. Scripture tells us that in marriage we become one, but then what when a partner is called home? Twenty-five years is not enough…. But then again neither would 2500 years be enough. Time will ease this pain, and we have eternity on our side!

Author Phillip K. Dick said this about the measure of a man:

 “The true measure of a man is not his intelligence or how high he rises in this world. No, the true measure of man is this: How quickly one can respond to the needs of others and how much of themself they are willing to give.”

This past year has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging years this family has faced, and yet they have all risen to this monumental heart-breaking task and Scott has led the way. A perfect job, probably not, but a noble and loving one, and one we all stand in awe over.

“When the Lord measures an individual, He does not take a tape measure around the person’s head to determine his mental capacity, nor his chest to determine his manliness, but He measures the heart as an indicator of the person’s capacity and potential to bless others” Marvin J. Ashton

Cindy, Mom, Grandma, Aunt, Sister, you have taught all of us well and we promise your legacy of Love and Compassion will live on. You see, when you have an angel in your life, and you get to see them get their wings…there is no greater honor!

 When tomorrow starts without me

And I’m not here to see

If the sun should rise and find your eyes

All filled with tears for me

I wish you wouldn’t cry

The Way you did today

While thinking of the many things

We did not get to say

I know how much you love me

As much as I love you

Each time that you think of me

I know you will miss me too

When tomorrow starts without me

Please try to understand

That an angel came and called my name

And took me by the hand

 The angel said my place was ready

In heaven far above

And That I would have to leave behind

All those I Dearly Love

So When Tomorrow starts without me

Do not think we’re apart

For every time you think of me

Remember I’m right here in your heart

Author: David M Romano

Losing an angel in your life is a hard thing and today there are many broken hearts and for many, life will never be the same. For some, life has changed forever or for at least this lifetime, but changed to what?

A favorite song is The Dance by Garth Brooks, and we can all find inspiration in the lyrics:

Lookin’ back on the memory of

The dance we shared, beneath the stars above

For a moment all the world was right

How could I have known that you'd ever say goodbye

 And now, I’m glad I didn’t know

The way it all would end, the way it all would go

Our lives are better left to chance

I could have missed the pain

But I’d of had to miss the dance

 Will you focus on the pain or on the Dance?  I am going to focus on the Dance, because I know that is what Tinty-Poo would want me to do!

Thank you, Cindy Pearl, be sure to give the folks a hug from us and we will promise to do our best to make you proud.

 PS You are a Wonderful Dancer!

Cindy’s family would like to give thanks and recognition to all of those who helped in her loving care this past year. Special thanks to, Diane Sorensen (Home Health Nurse) and Dr. Alli Marie Straubhar MD.

Viewing and Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1625 S. 1100 W. Syracuse, UT.  Viewing will be 9:45 - 10:45, with the funeral beginning at 11 am (MST).