Crystal Ruth Wadsworth, 80

Crystal Ruth Wadsworth, 80, passed away peacefully Sept. 29, 2017, at her home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She was born March 15, 1937, in Burt County, Neb., to Dale and Ruth (Shawver) Besst.

Shortly thereafter, the family moved to their farm in Princeton, Idaho. In 1952, the family moved again to Lewiston, Idaho, where Crystal graduated with honors from Lewiston High School in 1955. She was involved in many activities, including theater, which set her on a path for her career in broadcasting, advertising and public relations.

Crystal was an extremely intelligent, hardworking and inordinately determined individual. When she came upon the glass ceiling, she did not let it stop her, she just burst right through it.

After graduating from high school, she landed her first job in broadcasting with Cascade TV in Lewiston and Tri-Cities, Wash. She wrote a letter applying for a position and was hired sight unseen. When she showed up for work, her new employer could not believe how young she was. Crystal had her own TV show from 1956 to 1960 in which she would interview celebrities passing through the area. One such interview was the late Senator Ted Kennedy. During another interview, she met her future husband Robert (Bob) Wadsworth who was a professional pitcher for the Lewiston Broncs Baseball Club.

Crystal married Bob Wadsworth on Jan. 15, 1960, in Lewiston and promptly moved with him to Long Beach, Calif. She spent the next 50+ years living in Long Beach and Westminster, Calif.

Upon arriving in Southern California, she went to work at KFOX radio and over the next several years rose to the position of assistant station manager. She taught modeling to young ladies at the John Robert Powers Modeling School.

In the late 1970s, she transitioned into advertising and public relations including owning her own firm. Crystal taught advertising and marketing classes at Long Beach City College and remained active in the industry for the next 35 years. She also served as a Planning Commissioner for the city of Westminster. Her final position was as Executive Director of the Westminster Chamber of Commerce, a position she held until she retired in 2012.

Community service was very important to her. She was a dedicated supporter and fundraiser for many service organizations, charities and youth organizations including the Miss Westminster Beauty Pageant, American Business Womens Association and the Boys and Girls Club of Westminster. She served on the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors for many years.

Crystal was dedicated to her family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She took great care of her husband, raised and nurtured her son and grandson. She was always there for her friends and neighbors or to be a mentor to a young lady. She was the epitome of class, poise and professionalism, and was much cherished and loved.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Robert Wadsworth; son Robert (Kari) Wadsworth; grandson Logan (Tristan) Wadsworth; sisters Virginia Cochrane, Janet Van Buskirk and Jewell (Jerry) Larrabee; brother David (Loretta) Besst; and numerous much loved nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Ruth Besst; sisters Glady Ann Besst and Rayma Ernistine Besst; brother-in law Marlyn Cochrane; two nephews and one great-nephew.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your local Boys and Girls Club.

Visitation will be from 10:15-10:45 a.m. Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, with the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Grace Bible Church, 152 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Reception at Grace Bible Church will follow the graveside ceremony at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens. English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d’Alene, is entrusted with the arrangements.

Visit Crystal’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.