Birth date: Jan 13, 1924 Death date: Apr 29, 2009
Barbara L. of Hialeah, FL(formerly of Anderson, IN), passed sway April 29th at Palm Springs Hospital. She was 85 years old and retired from Miami Dade School System, where she served over 40 years as a Physical Education Instructo Read Obituary
I worked at Eckerd in the late 90s while in Hialeah High and I used to see Barbara at least once a week when she stopped by to get her rolls of film developed. She was always very kind and loved talking about the pictures she took of animals. What a great memory to see her face again
Dear Crutchfield Family: Mrs. Crutchfield was my PE Teacher at South Hialeah from 1962-1968. She is one of the tender-hearted ones who I will always treasure as she carried me along through those rough years for me as my identical twin passed away while we were at South Hialeah. Her tender, motherly qualities, so needed by me at the time, came through. I will always be grateful. I know first hand that you are holding many treasured memories of such a dear person. Please accept my thoughts and sympathies.##imported-begin##Daniel Worth##imported-end##
Knowing Barbara only a short time, I was always touched by her kindness, sincerity and love and joy of life. She always made me feel welcome and special. She will be truly missed.##imported-begin##Yvonne Leung##imported-end##
Mrs. Crutchfield was the BEST physical education teacher in the entire world. She made you feel good about yourself. You only failed if you did not try and you would always try for her. She always put together magnificent things for us to do. We had tether ball tournaments,box ball tournaments, gymnastics tournaments etc. but my all time favorite was the Presidential. She would have all the activities planned for us. You knew she cared. We students loved her. I remember once she gave Lewis Greene detention because he gave me an unwanted kiss. That's a big deal when your 10. She protected you. I am very sad she is gone. She was a much loved and wonderful teacher.##imported-begin##Anne Marie DiGiacomo-Cotto##imported-end##
Deepest sympathies from our family. Mom and Dad were both very fond of Barbara. The zoo continues to take huge losses with the passing of some very special docents!##imported-begin##Jenny Albert & Family##imported-end##
Barbara is and always will be the first memory of my docent experience at Miami Metro Zoo. She was my mentor, my friend and such a joyous person to know.##imported-begin##Vicki Brown##imported-end##
If only you could know how much you are missed. Say hello to Jomo and Mara.##imported-begin##Helen Donaldson##imported-end##
To Linda and your family,
I was so sorry to hear of Barbara's passing. I only heard today from Karen Maciag and the service was last weekend. I would have come. Barbara was always kind to me when I worked at Parrot Jungle as a volunteer. I wish she could have seen the sanctuary we have created for gibbons, capuchins and spider monkeys. She always encouraged me with my work with my beloved gibbons...hopefully she will join our Ruby now... Love to you all in your sorrow...Be at peace.##imported-begin##Deborah D. Misotti##imported-end##
Barbara was a wonderful person and brought joy to many. I am one of the fortunate ones. Will always think of her with found memories. Lise Howard##imported-begin##Lise Howard##imported-end##
I met Barbara before I came bacck to Metrozoo, while I was at Parrot Jungle and Gardens in Pinecrest. She was one of the volunteers assigned to my area where the infant apes were being hand-raised. She cared for them like they were her own children and loved to buy toys for them. When I came back to Metrozoo, I worked with her again. She was the ZooParazzi of Metrozoo and as everyone had experienced I would get little envelopes with photos from her. I personally will miss her very much, she was kind, gentle and I never heard her raise her voice to anyone. Not that she was not fervent in her opinions or desires...just eloquent in her delivery. I wish peace to her family and friends. I also hope we find a new pictoral historian for Metrozoo and the Zoological Society of Florida to carry on the work she started!##imported-begin##Rachel Watkins Rogers##imported-end##
