Crystal Wynell Eldridge was born July 15, 1980, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Jeff Mark Nicholas and Connie Wynell Eastin. She passed away Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Tulsa at the age of 38 years. Crystal was reared and educated in the Tulsa area and graduated with the Tulsa Union High School Class of 1998. She continued her education at the University of Minnesota where she excelled on the women’s hockey team and played goalie for the 2000 National Champions. She transferred to Providence College in Rhode Island where she continued her career in women’s hockey for the Lady Friars. She was married October 11, 2001, in Claremore, Oklahoma, to Marshall Eldridge. After hockey, Crystal returned to Oklahoma and attended the University of Oklahoma where she earned her Master’s Degree in pediatric physical therapy. She spent most of her working life as a pediatric physical therapist and caring for her family. Crystal was a faithful member of the Owasso Church of Christ where she enjoyed being involved with her church family and activities. She enjoyed crafts, working puzzles, baking, and even woodworking. She also enjoyed spending time going to the lake, swimming and fishing, but most important to her was her family. This past January, she was able to go back to Minnesota to reunite with her former teammates and coaches. During that time, she was able to show her family the dorm where she lived and where she played hockey.
Those she leaves behind who hold many cherished memories include:
Her husband; Marshall, and her daughters, Winter and Autumn
Her father; Jeff Nicholas, and her grandmother, Irene Nicholas, as well as a host of family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Connie Nicholas, and grandparents, John Nicholas, and Marvin and Ann Wynell Eastin.
Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at the Owasso Church of Christ with Tim Bowman officiating. Private family disposition will be held at a later date. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Assistance In Health Care, P.O. Box 700392, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74170-0392, or tulsa.aih.org. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com
