Dolores Frass Crittell

Dolores Frass Crittell, 93, went to be with the Lord just past midnight on Thursday morning February 16, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born October 13, 1929, in New Orleans, Louisiana a daughter of the late Alvin and Dora Frass.
When young Dolores and her sisters, mother, and father went to Mardi Gras in her hometown, she recalled how every time her dads hand went into the air, it came down with a handful of beads and toys. She thought this act was amazing and never figured out how it happened until she was older. Her curiosity, tenacity, love of family, and zest for life's offerings of this world, evident at an early age, would be defining traits for the the way she lived her life.
Dolores lived life with a real sense of adventure.
She traveled frequently with her girlfriends before she was married. On one trip to a dude ranch in Texas, Dolores mailed a card to her sister Evelyn in Guam. Joe, her future husband, worked with Evelyn's husband William, saw the card with a picture of Dolores and wanted to meet the author. This simple moment in time would create the next chapters in her life. Dolores and Joe shared an unbelievable relationship, sealed in the sacred bond of marriage for over 67 years. Together they adored their most precious gifts from the lord, their six children.
Dolores took her passion for life then shared and experienced the world through the eyes of her children. As a family they lived in many places, San Antonio, Bermuda, Maine, New Orleans, California, and Japan. Houses were always transformed into homes, an undertaking Dolores took in stride as a military wife. Her ability to take on the unimaginable never ceased to amaze those who knew her. Memories such as the time she flew from Japan by herself with six kids, are just one of those many treasured memories and testaments.
Dolores made a tradition of having frequent family picnics on the weekends. If any of her children fought, she would stop them, have them find a resolution, and conclude with a hug. She raised a very close family. Simple pleasures in life like kindness, love, and happiness were a vital key in her upbringing and she often found ways to instill those qualities into her future generations. Sitting on the washing machine during the spin cycle, waking the children up from naps so they could punch, aka kneed, the bread dough, playing games of monopoly with her grandchildren, and teaching those willing to learn how to sew, crochet, and embroider were just some of the many ways Dolores connected to the ones she loved.
New Orleans, LA was one of her first loves. No place could compare. Often, she would order her favorite home treat, soft shell crabs, at restaurants and then would comment they weren't as good as her mom's. Dolores was a wonderful cook who loved to teach family how to make wonderful dishes. One could count on Dolores to prepare favorite meals on her children's birthdays. She had everyone's height on the wall - even the dogs and stuffed animals of her grandchildren.
Dolores' capacity for generosity knew no bounds and she could always be counted on to provide support, encouragement, and guidance to those who needed it. She was a frequent participant in medical studies because she knew that the studies would help others. An incredible wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister who will be remembered forever by those who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Alvin and Dora Frass, she was also preceded in death by her sisters, Evelyn Small (William) and June Frass.
Family members include her husband, Joseph Crittell Jr; children, Helen Nance (Michael), Cynthia Pittman (David), Alvin Crittell (Jenny), Charles Crittell (Ruth), Agnes Durr (Alex), and Stephen Crittell (Margaret); 13 grandchildren, Nicholas (Sydney), Christopher (Jamie), Alvin, Michael (Jay), Emily, Matthew, Robyn, Rachel, Halley, Lyra, Caroline, Luke, and Cecelia; 4 great-grandchildren, Regan, Brayden, Colten, and Jack; in addition to numerous extended family and friends.
The family will receive guests Monday, March 6, 2023, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am for visitation at Castillo Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be conducted at 12:00 pm in St John Berchmans Catholic Church followed by a committal service at 1:45 pm in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the food bank or St. John Berchman Catholic Church.