Cranford Community Mourns Loss Of Beloved Crossing Guard

CRANFORD, NJ — The Cranford community is mourning the loss of school crossing guard, Nazaire Jennings.

"Nazaire will be missed by the members of our department as well as the thousands of children she crossed at Centennial Avenue/Myrtle Street over almost 40 years of service!" Cranford Police Department posted.

Jennings (nee Walsh), 85, died on Feb. 21, 2018. She was born in Newark and lived in Cranford for nearly 40 years after raising her children in Irvington.

Jennings was a longtime parishioner and usher at St. Michael’s Church, a member of the VFW, and was a crossing guard for 38 years, according to her obituary by Dooley Funeral Home.

"I’ve missed her at her usual spot. She always had a smile and wave, and was a welcome sight on even the dreariest of days. Sympathy and prayers to her family," said Holly Walker on the Cranford Police's Facebook page.

"Thanks for watching over our children. RIP," said Marjorie Guthrie.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m., at the Dooley Funeral Home, 218 North Ave. West in Cranford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Michael’s Church, Cranford. Interment will be in Fairmount Cemetery, Chatham.

She was predeceased by her husband Robert A. Jennings Sr. in 2002.

Surviving are her children, Jack of Lebanon, and Robert Jr. and wife Joan of Chatham; her eight grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory to St. Michaels Church in Cranford are being accepted.

(Image via Dooley Funeral Home)

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