What this means for residents: Neighbors and organizations in La Cañada Flintridge and the greater Pasadena area are marking the loss of a volunteer who spent decades leading school and church groups, organizing scholarships and supporting civic life.
Local civic life and volunteerism
Elizabeth Russell Fassig Craven was born March 5, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, and her obituary outlines a life of steady local involvement after moving to Southern California in the late 1950s. After marrying Robert Craven in Burbank on Nov. 14, 1959, she worked locally in accounting and later in part-time positions with the La Cañada Unified School District and in Pasadena at John O. Todd Jr. Insurance.
Her engagement with neighborhood institutions became a central feature of her life. She served in multiple leadership roles within the La Cañada school community, including president of Palm Crest PTA, president of the La Cañada High School PTSA and PTA Council President for La Cañada Flintridge in 1984–85.
- Schools: PTA leadership at elementary and high school levels
- Religious organizations: Longtime involvement at La Cañada Presbyterian Church, including deaconship and Sunday School teaching
- Community groups: Roles in Scholarship League and Foundation, Thursday Club, and organizing debutante events
Liz loved her community, La Cañada Flintridge.
Recognitions and civic awards
The obituary records that she and her husband were honored locally for community service: they received the Les Tupper Award for Community Service in 1985 and were named La Cañadans of the Year in 1988. Those honors reflect long-term volunteer leadership that connected local schools, religious organizations and civic associations.
Family and personal background
Craven was the only child of Vesta Farmer Fassig and Russell Richard Fassig. After early childhood losses and family moves to Kansas City, Missouri, she completed her education at Central High (class of 1952), Kansas City Junior College and the University of Kansas City (now the University of Missouri at Kansas City), graduating in 1956. She and Bob Craven raised three children: Bruce (born October 1960), Janet (born 1963) and Caroline (born 1966). Following their marriage, the family lived in La Cañada beginning in May 1961.
| Year / Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 5, 1935 | Born in St. Louis, Missouri |
| 1956 | Graduated from University of Kansas City |
| Nov. 14, 1959 | Married in Burbank |
| May 1961 | Moved to La Cañada |
| 1984–85 | PTA Council President, La Cañada Flintridge |
| 1985 / 1988 | Les Tupper Award; La Cañadans of the Year |
Craven also served the La Cañada Presbyterian Church as a deacon, was active in adult Bible study and helped edit the church newsletter for more than 20 years. She and her husband taught Sunday School for 15 years and were leaders of the church’s couples group, Voyagers.
The obituary emphasizes a lifetime rooted in community work across schools, religious groups and civic organizations that touch Pasadena-area residents. Local groups and families who benefited from scholarship programs, PTA initiatives and church activities are among those likely to feel the loss.
