Phoebe E. Crittenden

Fort Meade - Phoebe E. Crittenden, 86, passed away peacefully on, Sunday, July 3, 2011 from respiratory failure at Bartow Regional Medical Center. Although in declining health over the last several months, she fought hard to overcome her numerous health complications, including colon cancer. Phoebe was born in Minneapolis, MN and was adopted as an infant. She moved to Lakeland, FL in 1956 and then to St. Petersburg in 1968. She retired from Sears as a department manager in 1985 and eventually returned to Polk County in 2001. She looked forward to and enjoyed family birthday and holiday gatherings, travel and dancing and had a special fondness for hot-fudge sundaes. During her years in St Petersburg, she was a willing and frequent blood donor due to demand for her blood type. Phoebe is survived by Carl Schmidt, her long-time devoted companion of 25 years, daughters Linda (Michael) Pol and Mary (Mark) Hodgkins and son Larry (Edie) Mellgren. She is also survived by two grandsons, Brad Hodgkins and Brian Mellgren and two great-grandsons, Grayson and Jack Hodgkins. Visitation will be held at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, 650 East Main Street in Bartow, on Thursday, July 7, 2011 from 6 to 8pm. Graveside service and internment at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL on Friday, July 8, 2011 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to your local SPCA chapter.