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OBITUARY: Alberta Crook

September 21, 1926 – September 5, 2012

Alberta Crook passed away September 5, 2012, 16 days shy of her 86th birthday, in her beloved Maui, with close friends by her side.

Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, Alberta was stricken with polio and spent part of her teenage years in an iron lung. The impact of this dreadful disease affected her ability to walk throughout her life but to her it was just an inconvenience, not an obstacle.



After marrying the love of her life, Roy Crook, they continued to work in the LA area until deciding to move to South Lake Tahoe in 1970 with her mother and her aunt. Alberta and Roy cleaned houses, yards, and did whatever work they could find in their new environment. She was encouraged to get a real estate license by Opal Howell of Howell Realty. This was the beginning of her new career.

Within two years she joined Tamarack Realty where she met L.J. Logan and David Kurtzman. After less than a year the three of them decided to go out on their own, and opened Aspen Realty on November 1, 1973. Slowly the business grew into a strong, successful local business, due in part to her common-sense approach to simply taking care of people as a daily guide.



She continued her real estate career until her retirement in 1994. A few years later she and Roy moved permanently to Papakea Resort in Maui, their second home since the late1970’s.

Alberta served hundreds of clients during her 24 year real estate career, and she served her profession as a Board of Realtors director and president. Not only was she successful in business but she was a community leader, serving on the Board of Directors and President of the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, Barton Hospital Foundation, Barton Auxiliary and she served as President and Trustee of the Lake Tahoe Community College Board.

One of her simple joys was being a Notary Public and refusing to accept payment but asking for a donation to the Lake Tahoe Humane Society. She also could sign a check “A. Crook” and get it cashed! She enjoyed cruising with Roy, parties with friends around her miniature pool table, and an evening cocktail.

She leaves behind many Tahoe and Maui friends including those she treated as family at Aspen Realty. Whenever Mother Crook said, “never mind” you knew the conversation was over! At the end of the day we are all better having had the opportunity to know and work with Alberta Crook, a true friend.

A traditional Hawaiian service will be held at 10 a.m., September 21, her 86th birthday, at Papakea where her ashes will be spread at sea, joining Roy’s. The next time you see a Hawaiian sunset remember that Alberta and Roy are smiling back with a wink and saying, “thanks for remembering us.”


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