Tigger Crandall Ortega

Tigger Crandall Ortega

2/15/1946 6/4/2002

Tigger, our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, passed away suddenly on June 4 at Marian Hospital in Santa Maria, CA. She was born on February 15, 1946 in Bakersfield, CA, and spent her childhood there, graduating from East Bakersfield High School in 1963. She lived in Costa Mesa, CA for several years, before moving to Santa Maria in 1971. After briefly working at Iverson Motors and Coast Welding Supply, she began a 26-year career working at Allan Hancock College in Admissions & Records, Veterans Affairs, Student Services, and Financial Aid Offices, prior to her retirement in March 2001. Tigger was very active in California School Employees Association (CSEA), serving as Chapter President and member of numerous shared-governance and negotiating committees. She was selected as CSEA School Employee of the Year in 1986, was recipient of the Veterans Programs Administrators of California award for Outstanding Service to Veterans for Western Region of the United States in 1982, received the Outstanding Service Award from AHC Veterans Club (1975), served as President of Staff Senate, earned her A.A. Degree in Liberal Arts (Deans List), and had articles and poetry published in Incoming, an anthology of poetry about Vietnam veterans. Tigger helped many students achieve their life goals through alleviating financial barriers, providing words of encouragement and mentoring as an advisor and friend.

Tiggers beautiful mind, creativity, sense of humor and generous heart were amazing to us all. She was talented in so many areas of her life, and to express how much we love, admire and will miss her cannot be said with mere words. She was the jewel among us, providing support and advice, love and laughter in a way so special and incomparable.

Tigger loved spending time with family, friends and her beloved dogs. She also had a fondness for shopping on QVC, was a brilliant interior decorator (several local restaurants and homes), and was an avid reader. She loved Christmas and Valentines Day, and rivaled department stores in decorating her home each year during those holidays. Tigger was also writing a novel and had craft projects ongoing at all times. She enjoyed her life and lived it to the fullest.

Tigger was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 21 years, Leo Ortega (1999), father, Hod Crandall, niece, Jana Skidmore, sister-in-law, Tina Crandall, and dogs Wheatie Louise and Carter. Survivors are mother, Jane Crandall, sister, Susie (Jim) Skidmore, brother, Bob Crandall (Terri Barber), former sister-in-law, Jackie Crandall, all of Santa Maria; sister-in-law Sue Ann (Roger) Palmer of Bakersfield; cousins, Lynn (Earl) Burnett of Arizona, Teddy (Franklyn) Harrison of Hawaii, Tico, Sheri, Gabriel, Eric & Darin Padayhag of Stockton, CA; nephews, Jim (Sandra) Skidmore of San Bernardino, CA, Jeff Skidmore of Arcadia, CA, Robby (Melissa) Crandall, Ryan (Michelle) Crandall, and Christopher Ortiz of Santa Maria; nieces, Susie Westbrook, Amanda (Anthony) Solis and Lacie Barber of Santa Maria; grandnephews, Bryce & Ryan Skidmore, Robert & Peyton Crandall; grandnieces, Carissa, Jennifer & Sarah Skidmore, Sadie Solis; Tiggers new puppy, Biff Corbett; numerous extended family, including Jack Bourdeau of Bakersfield, and Hank, Shirley, Gary, Kim & Marina Macagni of Santa Maria, as well as many dear friends, including Bill & Deb Turner.

Friends who wish, may contribute to a College Scholarship Fund established for Tigger & Leo Ortega, c/o Mid-State Bank & Trust, P.O. Box 6002, Arroyo Grande, CA 93421, or may make a memorial donation in Tiggers name to the Humane Society, 751 Black Rd., Santa Maria, CA 93458.

A service was held for Tigger on Saturday, June 8, at First Christian Church in Santa Maria, under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary.