Crystal Rose Harper, 47, of Lexington, Ohio, passed away peacefully at her residence on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 after a nine-month bout with ovarian cancer.
She was born to June Ryder Evans on Oct. 17, 1970 in Mansfield, Ohio. Crystal graduated from Madison High School in 1989. She held a handful of jobs throughout her life, primarily in the restaurant business. For the past 18 years, she was the confidant to (my) Dan Lew’s enterprises, including Paisley Park, China Club and ABC Kitchen.
She is survived by her mother June Ryder Evans; children Kamilah Rose Harper-Perrodin and Gabriel Joseph Harper; life partner Dan Lew and daughter Minji Lew; cousin Jack Rachel; and a host of other relatives and many very close friends.
She is also survived by her beloved pet border collie, Ceci
No calling hours or funeral will be held at Crystal’s wishes. A memorial reception will be held at a later date, which has yet to be announced.
And even though a special message would be more “appropriate” at this juncture, I’m pretty sure that Crystal would have wanted to express her opinions instead, right or wrong, candidly…
Those of you who work or have worked in the foodservice industry should know or relate to how unforgiving and thankless the restaurant business is. It truly takes a “giving” person to pursue a career in this industry, especially if you want to be successful. From true overall detailed cleanliness to other intangibles like lighting and background music, great first and last impressions and execution of paying attention to detail can only come from a “giving” individual and team. Why do I say this? Because, in the restaurant business, you have to be perfect in order for the entire experience to be even considered by so many different personalities to be good. It’s the only business that I can think of that uses not only the five senses of taste, smell, sight, touch and hearing, but even senses of temperature, motion and umami and feng shui. Foodservice has become more service-oriented than product-oriented… We as foodservice providers have to “give” in order to be viable, and I became viable because she “gave”…
Yes, Crystal’s approach at times may have been brazen. But it came from a genuine place. She gave and gave and gave until “your” experience was “perfect” from as many viewpoints as possible. This is how she lived. Those of you who knew us closely know that she gave me a kidney, without hesitation or reservation. She gave and sacrificed for her mother, kids, friends as well as strangers, guests and customers. And if she wasn’t born with this trait, I’m pretty sure she learned it by living the restaurant business.
She wouldn’t have wanted you to give “in lieu” to the American Cancer Society or any similar gracious organizations that are related to cancer, right or wrong… She would have wanted you to become a donor, because in her mind, it gives the living a chance to live, not only longer, but with dignity and quality of life. This is how she lived. Do You Know How To Give?
