Raima Woodsford Crowthers

1930 – 2013

      Raima Woodsford Crowthers passed away on January 21 at her home on Bainbridge Island, following several years of declining health. She was 82.

      Born, raised and educated in Christchurch, New Zealand, she moved to Australia in her early twenties, where she served as a flight attendant for four years. She was then called back to New Zealand to become the first woman senior hostess of that country’s internal airline, and retired on marrying one of the pilots.

      Following the collapse of her marriage, Raima met Lee Crowthers, while on holiday in American Samoa where he was working for the Territorial Government. They were married there a year later, and eventually returned to Seattle, where Raima worked as a travel agent until her retirement in 1990. They moved to Bainbridge Island in 1988, where she served as a volunteer for several years at the Bloedel Reserve.

      Raima is survived by her husband, Lee, of 39 years; a son Christopher and the New Zealand grandchildren; daughter-in-law Tammy and grandchildren Holly and Brian in Fort Ward; her stepson and daughter-in-law Mark & Debra Crowthers and their children Sarah and Patrick, also of Bainbridge Island; stepdaughter Lise Alkire, her husband Tim and son Jesse, of Poulsbo.

      At her request, a private celebration of her life will be held for family and friends, in the home she loved.

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