Crystl Murray Mills passed away on January 6, 2026, at the age of 48. She was born on August 31, 1977, in Bountiful, Utah, and spent her childhood in Roosevelt, Utah, and Boise, Idaho—places that shaped her lifelong love of community, creativity, and connection.

Crystl graduated from Boise High School in 1995, where she expressed her vibrant spirit through music and movement as a member of the Acapella choir, the Crimson Rhythm Jazz Singers, and the Boise High Dance Team.

She carried herself with poise and class, paired with a confident joy for life. That warmth and natural grace were evident early on: at her very first pageant, Crystl was awarded Miss Congeniality, a reflection of her kindness, authenticity, and the ease with which people were drawn to her. From 1995 to 2000, she participated in the Miss Idaho competition system and was crowned Miss Eastern Idaho in 1998. That same year, she was named Fourth Runner-Up in the Miss Idaho Pageant, a testament to her confidence, composure, and enduring commitment to service.

Guided by a deep desire to help others, Crystl pursued advanced degrees in Social Work from Idaho State University and Washington State University. Crystl was recently accepted to the Doctor of Social Work program at the University of Southern California in 2025. She devoted her professional life to supporting people through compassion, advocacy, and an unwavering belief in the possibility of better lives. Being a social worker was not just her career—it was her calling.

Above all, Crystl had a devoted love of her friends and family and her gift for bringing people together.  She delighted in long brunches, beautifully arranged charcuterie boards, and shared laughter. She deeply loved her two daughters, Helene and Simone, and her dog, Bodhi, who brought her constant comfort and joy.

She is survived by her daughters, Helene and Simone Mills, who were the center of her world. She is also survived by her mother, Debra Gerrard; her father, James Hilding Murray; her sisters, Jennifer Murray and Nicole Gerrard; and her brother, James Henry Murray.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Parish in Spokane, Washington.

Crystl's life was defined by love—for her children, her family, her friends, and the countless people she served. Her warmth, generosity, and love will be deeply missed and forever remembered.