Celebrating the Life of
Phillis Eglantine  Crawford

Sunrise: June 25th 1918    Sunset: April 17th 2003

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Phillis Eglantine Crawford nee Denbow, youngest daughter of the late Charles Eggerton and Sarah Denbow, and sister of Gwendolyn Omallo (deceased), Frank (deceased), and Nora Liverpool, was born on June 25^th, 1918 in Hadfield Street, Georgetown, in the same house in which her rich vibrant spirit was set free on April 17^th 2003.

Born into a family in which a premium was placed on education and the values of discipline, industry, self –reliance, and good economic practice were carefully nurtured, Phillis attended the Guyanese Academy and The Bishop High School and later indicated her intention to dedicate her services to education by enrolling as a student at the Guyana Training College for teachers.  After graduating, she officially began rendering her service on January 13^th, 1936 at the St. James the Less Anglican School.

In 1934 she married her college batch mate Louis Lambert Crawford, from West bank Demerra, West Coast Berbice, and as was required in those days had to stop working.  In her new role, she contributed significantly to her husband’s further educational development and nurtured her two children.  His early death on March 9^th 1958, shortly after he had been appointed head of St. Barnabas School, presented her with a great challenge for which she had been ably prepared by her mother – the challenge of single parenthood.  The proof of her success in this labor of love was always evident in the pride with which she spoke about the many achievements of her two children.

Her personal tragedy also led her to return to the classroom in 1958, this time around, to Christ Church School, where she worked until her retirement in 1987.  She was not only very instrumental in the transition of the school to a secondary institution, but also in enhancing and improving its public image.  Over the years her dedication and encouragement to students and staff fostered positive and healthy relationships, which, especially in the 1970’s made Christ Church Secondary School one of the most pleasant places of study and work.

Guyanese luminaries who have had the privilege of being taught by “Mother Crawf” include the Guyana Scholar, John Woolford, Current Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defense Force, Brigadier Michael Atherly, and West Indian Cricketer, Carl Hooper.

Phillis Eglantine Crawford was truly an exceptional daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, educator, colleague, mentor and friend.

 She will always be fondly remembered