Patricia Crabtree

1937 - 2021

Patricia Crabtree
April 18, 2021
Modesto, California - Patricia Ann Crabtree, Owner of Country Shelf Floral, passed away Sunday April 18th at her home in Modesto surrounded by family at the age of 83.
She is preceded in death by her husband Lewis Crabtree, brothers Marvin Hubanks, Ronald Hubanks, Brant Hubanks of Lemoore. Pat is survived by her four sons Stephen Crabtree, Tim Crabtree, Mike DeMello, Bruce DeMello, along with 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Pat Crabtree was born on September 30, 1937 in Lemoore, California to Harry and Jewell Hubanks. She was raised working on the family farm through childhood and graduated from Lemoore High School. Pat completed her cosmetology license and expanded her floral artistic design interests by participating in arts and craft fairs throughout the state with a small business called Patti's Doughbox.
The Crabtree family relocated to the Ceres area after her husband Lewis was offered a Music Teaching position at Ceres High School. She spent the next several years supporting the music program during practices or chaperoning band reviews. During off weekends with the music program, Pat and Lew continued with the floral design business, deciding to further expand Pat's talents by opening Country Shelf Floral & Gifts in 1981. For the next several years Pat and Lew continued to expand the Modesto family business until his sudden death in 1986.
Pat continued the business while raising her sons. She was a kind, generous, supportive mother and grandmother. Her love for family and passion for helping others carried through her business to customers and anyone in need. Her greatest joy was spreading happiness through her floral designs or simply taking the time to talk and make deep personal connections to those crossing her path.
Pat dedicated herself to others by treating every customer as family with any request or order needing her personal guidance to assure it was created from the heart with caring and compassion. Special occasions, births, deaths, marriages, six to seven days a week for just over 40 years, Pat was at her business working to bring happiness or comfort to others.
Her happiest moments were spent with her grandchildren imparting her life experiences as a way to influence and pass-along what she valued. Pat had the biggest heart for anyone in need and would give of herself anything that could make a difference. She participated in the Make a Wish Foundation and contributed to many local organizations with special attention given to high school music programs. Her passing is a great loss to our family, our extended family, customers and local community.
A limited graveside service is scheduled at Lakewood Cemetery for Friday May 14th at 1100 where she will be laid to rest together with Lewis.