Cherished Memories: Woman continues son’s legacy with help from sister-in-law

Story and photos by Brandy Cruz

Nearly eight years after the tragic death of her son, Royce Crawford is keeping his memory alive by fulfilling one of his last requests — to make memory beads in honor of departed pets.

Royce and her husband David own Cherished Memories Pet Cremation Service, LLC. By working with veterinary offices throughout Central Texas, they help bring comfort to grieving pet owners through the services they provide.

After Aaron’s untimely death in 2013, his parents put away his bead-making tools and supplies, but felt strongly the desire to fulfill his vision of creating the memory beads. They realized they needed to carry on his legacy by helping pet owners work through the grieving process after losing a beloved pet.

Four years later, Royce’s sister-in-law Valerie retired from teaching third grade and moved back home to Central Texas. After a rewarding life as a teacher, Valerie was looking for something to keep her creative juices flowing. They recently asked if she would like to become the main creator of the memory beads.

“I loved it so much, it’s what I was doing all the time,” Valerie explained about finding her new passion in life.

Valerie read through all of Aaron’s books on glass bead-making — known as lampworking — watched YouTube videos and practiced until she found her own unique style. After successfully making her first glass bead, Valerie said she was so excited, she was showing everyone. She also keeps that first glass bead on a bracelet she wears everywhere.

“She told me once, ‘When I’m making these, I always end up thinking about the owners and their families. What was the bond like between them and their pet? Did they get him or her as a newborn or rescue?’” Royce shared about Valerie. “Not only is there cremains going into the bead, but a lot of emotion too.”

Some memory beads have been made for a few pet owners already, but they will formally start offering them through vet clinics who use Cherished Memories, beginning June 1.

The intricate process includes using a torch to melt the colored glass. While at the vet clinic, pet owners choose from one of eight colors for their chosen memory bead. Pet ashes are cataloged, and even the smallest amount is tracked. Royce and Valerie said they are very meticulous about everything during the process.

After forming the memory bead and placing the cremains within the glass, the labeled bead must sit in an annealer, which allows the glass to gradually cool down over 24 hours. Valerie explained that if the glass cools down too fast, it could crack and shatter.

After the bead has completely cooled down, Royce places the stainless steel inserts inside the bead, adds the finishing touches and prepares the presentation for return back to the pet’s family.

Royce and Valerie met after David and Royce literally crashed into one another while attending Central Texas College in 1970. After 46 years of marriage, Royce said she’s lucky because she married into a great family and gained such a caring sister-in-law. The two even share the same birthday, three years apart.

The two loving souls also share a common goal — to carry on Aaron’s legacy by honoring the memory of beloved family pets.

“We get a lot of cards from people saying, ‘What you’ve done means so much. Thank you for the after care package. We didn’t know what to expect, but we can see the respect you put into the urns and such,’” Royce explained. “I get cards from people who say, ‘It’s more than we ever expected.’ That’s why I do it.”