We were heartbroken to learn that longtime volunteer and supporter Nancy Crabbe died on April 22. She was a kind and generous person who never hesitated to raise her hand when help was needed. We miss her greatly.
Nancy and her husband, David Crabbe (who was one of the founders of SSMC), were active volunteers with Sustainable San Mateo County for many years, beginning in the 1990s, when the organization was founded to build awareness for what was then a novel concept: sustainability. She was a member of the Awards Committee for many years, vetting nominees, soliciting donations, running “mailing parties,” writing the event script and helping at the Awards Celebration. The Crabbes have also been extremely generous donors to SSMC through the years.
“Nancy was not just generous to SSMC but to her friends and acquaintances as well,” said Ricki McGlashan, one of the original founders of SSMC. “She never missed a chance to encourage or compliment anyone. Despite many health issues since childhood, she kept on keeping on and not complaining. Our community needs all the can-do people like Nancy it can get, and we will miss her in many, many ways.”
Although Nancy had many physical challenges, she had an indomitable spirit. Most recently, she attended the SSMC Annual Awards Celebration.
A native of South Carolina, Nancy earned a bachelor’s degree in English at Cornell College in Iowa and a master’s degree in library science from Simmons College in Boston. After graduating from Simmons, she and David filled a Volkswagen minivan with their belongings and moved to San Francisco, where Nancy began her library career with the San Mateo County Library System. She later worked as Assistant Librarian for the Redwood City Library, then served as City Librarian for the City of San Mateo. She also worked for the Santa Clara Library System and volunteered with an anti-war group called Beyond War and the Sjogrens Foundation.
She is survived by her husband, David, and their beloved dog, Gracie. A private memorial service will be scheduled later.
