Patricia (Patti) May Craggs
May 1 1957- November 5th 2008
Patti passed away peacefully with her husband Harold Musolf III and step-son Harold IV by her side on November 5th after a short illness. She is survived by both of her parents Pearl and George Craggs along with her sister Georgia and two brothers Ed and Don.
Being born and raised in Ballard she could never get very far from home without having to go back and see her mom and dad for a reality check. In high school she was on the dive team and always competed in swim meets were she would always do well.
Prior to her marriage to Harold she was very active in the church and mission trips to Mexico to help spread the word about Christ and the true meaning of Christmas. Being from Ballard, she always liked the water so it came as no surprise that when her mom and dad would go on a cruise to warmer weather (Caribbean) she would often times go with them to just soak up sun rays and swim in warm water. She also took up white water rafting here in the Pacific Northwest, rafting on almost every river in the state and even into Canada.
While working for Washington State Department of Transportation for over 22 years she made many a friend and contacts in every branch of the state government up to and including the governor.
Patti finally met Harold in the summer of 1998 over the back yard fence after telling Harold she had just come back from a rafting trip and was sore, so Harold offered his Jacuzzi bath tub to soak off the pain. Little did Harold know that Patti was already making plans to go out with him. Their first date was a Mariners game that was not as interesting as the person next to her/him, and as they say, the rest is history.
Harold quickly found out about the Caribbean and cruising when after about six months of dating Patti asked him to go to the Caribbean on a cruise. Now Harold had worked in the marine industry for 15 years by then and had no interest in a bigger boat but Patti prevailed and they went. She spoiled him in everyway she could so the hook of cruising would be set hard and fast. It worked and they never went down there without each other again.
Patti had bought a condo time share with Harold’s aunt in Mexico and on one of the trips down there without Harold, Patti and her aunt- in- law Carol took up Scuba diving classes and passed. Now she swims on top and under the water to see all of god’s wonderful creatures.
Throughout Patti’s life she was never without a smile and infectious laugh and a kind word to help others through their pain even though she was in pain. She was a very quiet and behind the scenes girl in her giving and charitable efforts, something most people did not know. She would go to Value Village on Mondays and buy coats for women and kids and take them to the battered women’s shelter or Emergency Shelter without telling anybody. Her giving Heart was bigger then any body ever knew.
One of Patti’s favorite things was camping in the wild outdoors. She would take a tent and go with friends to every corner of the state and just set up a camp. There were many times that it would be her and just one friend and on Friday throw a dart at the map and that are where they went. Now Harold was never a tent camper but a motor home kind of guy. Patti did finally talk Harold into tent sleeping on the deck at their house but it was next to the warm bathroom. They spent the entire summer out there and never missed sleeping in the house.
Patti loved touring in brass era cars. She was always in the front seat of their 1913 Cadillac when ever Harold would test drive or go on tour. She would be in the front seat before the tour started and was there after Harold got out just making sure there was no more driving to be done. The last big tour they went on was to California, Los Angeles area and over to the coast city of Ventura. Patti was so infectious with laughter and smiling that she got her and Harold a personal invite to Jay Leno’s private car collection while they were at a taping of the tonight show. When they got to the car collection she made quick friends with the hired help and has an open invite to go back any time. On the tour the biggest highlight for her was driving down Main Street of Disneyland with her 2 year old niece Reagan in the front seat of the Cadillac on her lap.
There were three things in her life that meant the most, one was getting baptized in the lord, two was getting married to Harold and three was driving down Main Street of Disneyland.
Patti will be missed dearly until the end of time. If ever there was a person that was full of life and joy it is Patti.
Memorial donations can be made to your favorite charity or the YWCA Emergency Shelter 1118 Fifth Ave Seattle 98101.
A celebration of her life will be held on January 10th 2009 @ 1 p.m. in Kenmore at Wondering Creek Club House. Address is 831 N.E. 240th gate code is 7758
Please contact Harold for more info if needed.