Brenda J. Crawford

Brenda Joyce Crawford died on November 10, 2022 at Washington Hospital Center from a previously undetected bone marrow cancer. Though the progression of her illness was unexpectedly swift, she passed away peacefully in loving company. Brenda was born on August 26th, 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri, and left her hometown for Washington DC in 1969. A few years after her arrival she applied for a position in the Romance Languages Department at Howard University, initiating an extraordinary 45-year career at HU.

Brenda is survived by her daughter Candice Alona Crawford-Zakian and daughter-in-law Megan Sandberg-Zakian, as well two sisters, three nieces and one nephew, and countless friends, students, and colleagues whose lives were impacted by her care and guidance. 

In honor of Brenda’s passion for travel, her daughter and daughter-in-law will make a donation in her name to support student study abroad fees through Howard University’s Afro-Latino and Hispanic Cultural Society, ¡Changó! If you are able to contribute to this effort, please venmo Candice (@C-Crawford-Zakian) and include “In memory of Brenda” in the memo line. Flowers for Brenda’s Celebration of Life on June 3rd are welcomed and may be sent directly to Dunbarton Chapel for arrival between 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. on the morning of June 3rd.

Please share memories of Brenda by video at Brenda Stories.

On Saturday June 10, 2023 there will be an Art showing and Reception with live music at Busboys and Poets in Brookland, DC at 5:00PM.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Brenda J. Crawford, please visit our floral store.