Protecting Animals and Children Became One Woman’s Mission

Esther Crabtree could have lived a life of affluence and ease. But she chose not to. She was a widow for many years, but before her husband Jim died, they sat down and talked about their estate planning. They had no children. Who would inherit their assets?

For Esther, the answer was easy. She wanted to give to nonprofit organizations that benefited animals and children. The Phoenix Zoo was one of them. There were others—for many years she was a volunteer at the East Valley Child Crisis Center and gifted numerous organizations that protected animals and children. Giving to the Phoenix Zoo was a way to benefit both.

Most people would have considered her wealthy, but she never thought of herself that way. She lived a frugal life. She lived in a modest home in East Mesa with her beloved cat. After her passing, finding a good home for the cat was a top priority. Her longtime friend and attorney, Doug Cook, was involved.

“Esther cared more about her cat than she did her money,” he says. “She was a very sweet lady, although she had a rather stern exterior. She cared passionately about the causes she believed in and she showed it by the generous bequests she made through the years. The Phoenix Zoo and its mission were very important to her. She was a wonderful person.”

Esther never sought attention or publicity. She played bridge with friends, but as she got older and frailer, she became more reclusive. She had her cat and her house. But whether she ever said it or not, she must also have had a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Years before, she had made a commitment to helping others, and she had honored that commitment for her entire life.

She lived into her 90s and she never lost sight of what she and her husband, Jim, had set out to do: spend their money on causes that were important to them and where they could have a positive impact. The Phoenix Zoo is greatly indebted to James C. and Esther Crabtree for their generosity and caring. They didn’t want fanfare or fancy donor recognition affairs. They wanted the satisfaction of being able to give. And that’s what they did.

Visit the Zoo today and watch a child see an elephant for the first time…or feed a giraffe and feel its soft tongue…or be captivated by the playful antics of the orangutans. Animals and children, education and new learning experiences—that’s what Esther wanted.

Learn how you can follow in Esther Crabtree’s footsteps and change lives through your support of the Phoenix Zoo. Contact Liz Toth at 602.286.3881 or ltoth@phoenixzoo.org to learn more.