Ethel Troup Easterling Pistorius Crow

Funeral services for Ethel Troup Easterling Pistorius Crow, 85, of Monroe, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2012, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe, with Father Matthew Long officiating. Mrs. Crow was born July 31, 1926 in Chicago, IL to Douglas and Hazel Troup and passed away Monday, February 20, 2012, at The Terrace in West Monroe, LA after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She met her husband Robert Easterling in Columbus, OH during World War II. They were married in 1946 and moved to Monroe, and later adopted their daughter, Barbara. Ethel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Northeast Louisiana University and began her long career in music. Mrs. Crow had a career in music ministry that lasted half a century. Many of her piano students remember her famous recitals and the excellence she expected from them all. Jesus the Good Shepherd students remember caroling at Christmas with hot chocolate and cookies afterward at her home on Riverside Drive. Mrs. Crow was a music minister at Jesus the Good Shepherd, St. Pascal’s, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Matthew’s and played the organ for the Catholic Campus Ministry at ULM. She retired from her ministry in February of 2000. Upon her retirement at age 73, Mrs. Crow stated that “Music is basically a story of love. When you sing, you’re singing a love song to God. You’re praying twice, with the words you’re singing and the feelings in your heart. I never thought I’d live to be this old. I think I’m still here because God has a use for me. The heavenly choir’s not ready for me yet.” Mrs. Crow had a special place in her heart for the Girl Scouts, serving for many years as a troop leader and volunteer in many capacities. Pinewoods Camp and many other Girl Scout camps were a home away from home for her. She was a member of the Monroe Junior League. Ethel enjoyed a competitive game of bridge weekly until her health wouldn’t permit this pleasure. Mrs. Crow was preceded in death by her parents, Douglas and Hazel Troup; brother, Douglas Troup; husband, Robert H. Easterling; husband, Lester J. Pistorius and husband, Patrick Crow. Survivors include her daughter, Barbara Bailey, and her husband Jim of Monroe, LA; Sister, Barbara Troup Zarzycki of Seal Beach, CA; Grandchildren, Stephanie Bailey Laudenheimer and husband Mark of Fort Worth, TX; Jennifer Bailey Mills and husband Heath of Monroe, LA; 6 Great Grandchildren, Chandler Laudenheimer, Lauren Telano, Sophie Laudenheimer, Bailey Mills, Addison Laudenheimer and Liam Mills; and a host of nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. A vigil wake service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe. Visitation will follow from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, 910 Pierremont Rd., Shreveport, LA 71106 The family wishes to extend special thanks to Ethel’s earth angels of Hospice Family Alliance and the staff of The Terrace for their special care, devotion and concern. God has called her home to be a member of his heavenly choir. Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com