Obituary of Mary C. Crawford
Mary Claire Theresa Crawford of Yardley, Pennsylvania was called home to the Lord on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. She was 100 years old.
Mary was born in the Kensington section of Philadelphia on July 13, 1924, to Margaret Queenan (Lyons) and Joseph Queenan, both of whom immigrated from Ireland. Mary attended The Visitation School and graduated with honors from Hallahan Catholic High School. Her professional career began after graduation when she was hired to be the secretary to the General Manager of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
In 1949, Mary met the love of her life Cliff Crawford at a neighborhood church dance. Mary and Cliff were married on January 20, 1951. Three years later the young couple were able to purchase their first home in the Lawncrest area of Philadelphia; a modest row house where they raised their seven children before moving to Fox Chase in 1967.
In 1983, after years of living in the city, they decided to purchase their final home in Yardley, Bucks County. This is where they resided for the remainder of their years. Mary was a devoted wife and loving mother, she took great pride in the care of her family. In 1971, Mary made her reentrance into the workforce by joining the family's pharmaceutical business, which was established in 1953. Mary was recognized for both her intelligence and work ethic in the business. The success of the company over the years was due in part to Mary’s contributions, always supporting and doing what was needed to keep the business thriving.
Mary spent numerous family vacations at the Jersey shore with her husband and children. She and Cliff vacationed over the years in Florida, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Ireland, and England. Truthfully, Mary never had to travel too far, as her heart was always in her home.
In 2007, she and her husband retired from the family business, now passing the daily responsibilities of it on to some of their children. She lovingly took on the role of a caregiver to her husband Cliff when his health declined until his passing away in 2011. Mary was a faith filled woman who recited the rosary each day and attended daily Mass. She loved her Irish heritage, and her favorite singers were Perry Como and Nat King Cole. Mary never forgot a birthday or special occasion for any of her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren. She was always up for a good celebration and loved to dance. Each new birth of a baby into her family filled her heart with joy. She had lifelong friendships over the years, some dating back to her high school days.
In the last chapter of Mary’s life, her only request was to live out her time in her own home. Her home was a place that always brought her comfort and security. This was made possible with the dedication of her wonderful angel nurses Sheila, Ida, Eileen, Sandy, Bonnie and Brooke, who so lovingly attended to her every need. She will always be missed, however never forgotten by all those who loved her.
Mary was predeceased by her devoted husband Clifford C. Crawford, her cherished first born daughter Marguerite Crawford Coyle, her parents Joseph and Margaret Queenan, her siblings Joseph Queenan and Sister Margaret Rosarii, SSJ, her daughter-in-law Mary Brooks Crawford, her sons-in-law Gregory Stricker and Patrick Brady and her grandchild Rebecca Coyle.
She is survived by her six children Mary Claire Rossi and her husband Joseph of Langhorne, Donna Shumard and her husband Richard of Coatesville, Anita O’Brien and her husband Michael of Jamison, Clifford Crawford and his wife Judy of Souderton, Elaine Coyle and her husband John of Warrington and Joanne Marx and her husband Francis of Newtown. Mary was blessed with 17 grandchildren, Timothy Brady (Casey), Maryanne Thiel (Kirk), Kevin McBeth (Lisa), Janene Giemza (Gregory), Matthew Crawford (MaryBeth), Katherine Schmidt (Timothy), Michael O’Brien (Kaitlyn), John Coyle, Christopher Crawford (Grace), David Coyle (Meredith), Michael Coyle (Ana), Shelby Zimmerman (Nathan), Gregory Stricker (Madalyn), Anna Reverman (Joseph), Claire Marie Torpey (Ryan) and Sarah Shumard. Mary loved each one of her 23 great-grandbabies.
The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 10:30am at St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church 999 Reading Avenue Yardley, PA 19067. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery 5201 Hulmeville Road Bensalem, PA 19020. Family and friends may call on Friday, December 27, 2024, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home 17 S. Delaware Avenue, Yardley, PA 19067, and again on Saturday morning from 9:30am to 10:15am at St. Ignatius Church.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to The Sisters of Saint Joseph Villa, 110 W. Wissahickon Avenue, Flourtown, Pennsylvania 19031.
Condolences for the family can be left at www.fitzgeraldsommerfuneralhome.com.
