Mary Going Crawford

Mary grew up in Providence, Rhode Island with younger siblings John, Ann, Margaret, and Joseph, amidst a large extended family. She attended Blessed Sacrament School and later graduated from Classical High School in 1945. Mary went on to Brown University (Pembroke) where she majored in psychology and worked for the campus radio station as a jazz DJ. After college, Mary became a social worker in Providence, working for the state of Rhode Island.

She then worked for the Department of Mental Hygiene Services and later became a Probation and Parole Officer for Women and Children in Newport, RI. She completed all of her coursework towards a Master’s degree in psychology at Rhode Island College and became a reading specialist teaching reading and school psychologist doing testing and referrals for the Newport school system. An avid New England skier, Mary served as the treasurer of the Newport Ski Club for many years.

In Newport, Mary met and married William T. Crawford (Bill), a Naval officer stationed at the Naval War College. This set her on a path of years of frequent moves, with her favorite adventure being the three years she and Bill and their three children spent living in a small town in Italy while Bill was stationed there. After Bill retired from the Navy and began a civilian career, they moved to Rockville, Maryland for 21 years. Mary made dear lifelong friends through her involvement in her children’s school and sports activities, her parish, and later work managing logistics for Sears deliveries in Maryland and Virginia. In 1996, Mary and Bill retired and moved to Longmont, Colorado, where they enjoyed many active and happy years.

Mary is survived by her spouse of 61 years, Bill, their three children, Susan (Gerry) Sullivan of Shrewsbury, MA, Sally (Bernard) Gillett of Longmont, and Thomas (Yancey) Crawford of Blacksburg, VA, and grandchildren John Sullivan, Margaret Sullivan, Sarah Sullivan, Bridget Sullivan, Katherine Gillett, Claire Gillett, Mary Gillett, Elise Gillett, Jeremy Gillett, Monica Crawford, Erin Crawford, and Virginia Crawford, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was a devoted mother and grandmother and liked nothing more than spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her beloved grandchildren will always remember the many special times with her, as well as her endless supply of cookies and treats. Mary had outfits and decorations to match every occasion, and she enjoyed creating times of celebration for and with her family. Mary loved reading, Rhode Island, seeing new places, and cheering for Boston sports teams. She was always knitting, using her knitting skills to make gifts for family members and hats and sweaters for hundreds of children in need. A lifelong devout Catholic, Mary was deeply involved in her parish wherever she lived, and her consistent faith inspired all who knew her.

Mary’s beautiful life will be celebrated in a vigil rosary on September 12 at 7pm at St Francis Catholic Church in Longmont, and a funeral Mass on September 13 at 10:30 am, also at St Francis.