Mary Ann Crookham

Mary Ann Crookham
Mary Ann Crookham, our mother, sister, daughter and friend, peacefully slipped away from us on the evening of March 6th at the age of 58 after her courageous battle with Ovarian Cancer. Mary passed comfortably in her home surrounded by family.
Mary was born on January 24, 1960 in Caldwell, Idaho to Bill and Berit Crookham. From early on, Mary was content with the simple things in life, like a good book in a quiet corner. She later found a love for animals and participated in 4-H, and competed in barrel racing, trail riding, goat roping, and on hot summer evenings she would ride her horse, alongside her sister, down to Lake Lowell for a swim. Mary was also an accomplished water skier, snow skier, swimmer and diver. She and her brother George Crookham were part of the State Championship diving team coached by her father Bill Crookham.
In 1978, Mary attended the University of Washington with her sister, Kris Crookham, where she created lasting memories and lifelong friends. After college Mary worked at a local computer firm and later joined the family business, Crookham Company. Mary programmed all operations and administrative aspects of the company, and Crookham was one of the first seed companies to embrace computer software. Mary served alongside her brother George Crookham as CFO for 17 years. Together they doubled the size of the company and helped expand its reputation internationally. Mary also served Caldwell’s greater community by being on the board of the Caldwell Foundation for Educational Opportunity, the board of Idaho Youth Games and Trustee at the College of Idaho.
However, being a mother was Mary’s greatest joy. Mary met Brian Hammer and they married in 1986 and together they brought Brandon Hammer, Jerid Hammer, Jakob Hammer and Kirsti Hammer into this world. Mary and Brian later separated, but Mary’s dedication to her children was unwavering and if you have the opportunity to meet, chat with or befriend any one of her kids you will see her joy in each and every one of them. Mary encouraged her kids to be themselves, to make mistakes, to push themselves in their sports, activities, and interests, while also reminding them of the pleasure of simple things. Her joy in animals and her love of family will be cherished for generations.
Mary, we miss your smile, full belly laughs, and goofy jokes, right now, immediately as we sit here thinking of you. We will miss creating memories with you but will go through life creating memories in honor of you. We will hold dear your dedication to family; we will carry that with us, we will treasure it. We feel your gentle and tenacious spirit with us every day and will gift this to those we hold dear, as you did with us.
There will be a private funeral and graveside service for direct family members. A ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held at a future date, to be determined, for all family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in her name to Treasure Valley YMCA – Strong Kinds Campaign, College of Idaho Scholarship program, Caldwell Foundation for Education Opportunity, and Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, please see web site links below.
Caldwell YMCA Strong Kids Campaign (Please specify “The Caldwell Y”)
http://www.ymcatvidaho.org/support-our-cause/donate/
Caldwell Foundation for Educational Opportunity
http://cfeo.org/donate.php
The College of Idaho Scholarship Fund
https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/giving/gift-opportunities
Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
http://cancerresearch.org/join-the-cause/donate/one-time-donation

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