Ardith Crow

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Ardith Ann Girton was born April 9, 1937, on a family farm near Magnolia Iowa.  Ardith was born to Dean and Martha (Freymuller) Girton.  A couple of years after graduating from high school in 1955, she met and married Brian Crow on February 14, 1957.  The two of them settled in Council Bluffs, Iowa, raising three boys, David, Brian and Michael.

In March of 1973, all five packed their possessions and embarked on a cross-country adventure.  Leaving the Iowa landscape that she had grown up in, the Crow family moved from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Phoenix, Arizona.

New challenges and adventures awaited, but all were met head on with the determination that she learned while growing up in rural Iowa.  Ardith worked for the Arizona Department of Transportation, Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, and became embedded in the Maricopa SafeKids Coalition, primarily working with child seats, restraints and public education/awareness.  Her passion for child seats and leadership in the Maricopa SafeKids Coalition eventually led to an open door for her to not only participate, but manage the Maricopa SafeKids Coalition program.

After retiring from the State of Arizona, she continued volunteering countless hours in organizing and conducting child seat fitting, education and training for the general public.  A typical Saturday event included a public child seat fitting at a venue such as a school parking lot, mall or other business establishment.  Often times local celebrities were involved in the event, which always included giving away child seats to those who could not afford them. Ardith’s efforts were fundamental in raising public awareness as well as providing child seats and related public education, which I’m sure were life savers and instrumental to injury prevention.

Ardith had a love of gardening, golf, hummingbirds and Southwest landscapes, as evidenced by the Kokopelli symbol which adorned her back yard, dining room and even keychains.  Her house in Tempe, although essentially located in the desert climate, still had citrus fruit trees, various vegetables, flowers and even a fig tree.  Hummingbirds also frequented her backyard, and even fought each other over territorial rights to “ownership” of the feeder.

Ardith and her sister Audrey took a trip to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, in 1998 to visit her son David and family for a few days  During their visit, they were able to try out some of the typical German cuisine, wine and culture.

Ardith also loved attending the Girton Memorial Day Picnic in Magnolia, Iowa for many years, often staying with her sisters or at the Girton farm She would usually stay for a few weeks in Iowa after Memorial Day before returning to Arizona.

She loved to play golf, even if it wasn’t in the LGPA leagues, it was a good opportunity to stay active, enjoy the outdoors and fellowship with friends.  She had some good times in Georgia with Michael and Linda on the golf course while visiting there on several occasions.

Ardith had trusted in the Lord Jesus as her personal savior.  I’m sure she was welcomed into eternity by these words “Well done thou good and faithful servant”.

Ardith was preceded in death by her parents, Dean and Martha Girton; brother, Darrel Girton; five sisters, Elizabeth Pauline “Betty” and husband Joe Plath; Nadene Bryan, Audrey Girton, Mary Margaret Maguire, Alice and her husband Dick Landon; brother, Richard Girton; and sister-in-law Annie.

She is survived by her three sons David, Brian and Michael Crow; grandchildren, Regina, Stephanie, David Wayne, Jeffrey, Mallory, great grandchildren Aurelia, Amber, Natalie, Isabella, Leila; and many nieces, nephews and friends.