Dora Crawford

A devoted and loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, teacher, and friend to many. Dori touched every life she encountered. She was kind, humble, wise, independent, adventurous, fun, loyal, compassionate, giving, and spiritual..a beautiful human being in every way.

Dori passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025 in the loving company of her family.

Dori was born on April 11, 1946 in Aleppo, Syria. Her parents, Haratune and Lydia Missirlian, moved with Dori and her older sister Sonia to Beirut, Lebanon before emigrating to Chicago. Eventually the family, which now included her younger brother John, settled in Fresno, where her father served for 32 years as minister of the Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church. As a youth, Dori was an active participant in many church activities and loved singing and playing the piano.

Dori graduated from Fresno High School in 1963 and Fresno State in 1967. After graduating, she began a career in education, teaching both in California and abroad. Her three years spent teaching in Europe sparked a deep love of travel, adventure, and exploration that stayed with her throughout her life.

In 1976, while completing her graduate studies in Special Education at San Francisco State University, Dori met the love of her life, Dan Crawford. They married in 1979 and built a warm, joyful home together in Marin County, raising their three children, Andrew, Lindsay, and Brandon. Dori was the heart of her family, creating a life filled with love, support, and countless shared experiences. She loved entertaining family and friends at their home.

Dori was deeply committed to her church and community. She was a long-time and active member of the First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael. There, she co-founded and played in the handbell choir, sang in the chancel choir, served as a Deacon, church officer, liturgical art committee and volunteered on various mission trips to help rebuild areas devastated by natural disasters.

She also supported and participated in several local organizations (Woodland Sponsors, Water Lilies, FAMSF Ross Auxiliary) and cherished the friendships she made through them.

An avid traveler, Dori visited more than 70 countries. She loved the outdoors, skiing, hiking, running, and cycling. She especially treasured the many trips to Yosemite, with her parents and her own family over the years. Her spirit was adventurous, generous, and full of grace.

Dori is survived by her husband Dan, sister Sonia, brother John, her three children Andrew (Janipher), Lindsay (Toren), and Brandon (Rachel), five grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews. She is leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and a beautiful life well-lived, and will always be a bright shining torch to all who knew and loved her.

"Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." George Bernard Shaw.