Marion Cissie Critchlow
Former longtime La Cañada resident Marion “Cissie” Critchlow passed away on July 1st at the age of 86.
She was born and raised in Los Angeles and attended Los Angeles High School. She attended one semester at Stanford University and then returned closer to home and graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in 1946. She worked for various social and support organizations in the Hollywood area until she married her husband, Francis “Fran” Critchlow MD in 1950.
Cissie and Fran moved from Hollywood to La Cañada in 1959 and lived continuously on Earlmont Avenue until Fran’s death in 2005 when she moved to San Diego to be closer to family. Cissie was active in many local organizations including the Descanso Guild, Kappa Alpha Theta, LCHS Band Parents, and the La Cañada Presbyterian Church. She was a regular contributor to the Valley Sun with stories of their travels, including the first official friendship Jazz Cruise to Cuba in 1977.
Cissie is survived by her three children, Jonathan Critchlow of Boston, Barbara Critchlow Leigh of Seattle, and David Critchlow of San Diego, as well as 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
In keeping with her wishes, no formal memorial will be held. Contributions can be made in her name to the La Cañada Tournament of Roses Association: P.O. Box 253, La Cañada, CA 91012.