Family Pens Obituary Of 'Hope' For Montclair Woman Amid Pandemic

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Even though Parkinson’s disease forced Ann "Hope" Crawley to struggle over the last years of her life, she never stopped being a mother, her family says.

Recently, some of Crawley's family members reached out to Patch to share a message they wrote for the longtime Montclair resident, who passed away Friday.

They wrote:

"Beloved mother and grandmother, Anne 'Hope' Crawley (nee Savage), 87, died peacefully in her home on July 24, 2020, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

"As a Montclair resident for over 60 years, Hope was active in many parts of the town’s life. As a longtime member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception (now St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish), Hope served as president of the Parish Council and taught Christian Formation classes when her children were young. She volunteered weekly at the Salvation Army, where she helped its guests get clothes and soap for showers and cooked regularly for Meals on Wheels.

"Hope was a writer and photographer, who liked to share her love of travel with her readers. She wrote and developed her own photographs, in a little attic dark room, while raising eight children in Montclair. Her articles appeared in Family Circle, Woman’s Day and Yankee Magazine. Later, she worked as a newsletter editor and publicist for trade organizations, including Hobby International, and the Hemophilia Association of New Jersey. After she retired, Hope hosted bi-weekly book groups, participated in a Montclair meditation group, volunteered weekly at the Salvation Army on South Fullerton street, and attended daily mass at Immaculate Conception. She was a devoted member of the early-morning water classes at the Montclair YMCA, where she enjoyed a close community of Y enthusiasts.

"Hope was born in Morristown, NJ and spent most of her childhood in Waterbury and Watertown, CT. She attended Trinity Washington University (Class of 1954) in Washington, D.C. and was active in their alumni community.

"Hope Crawley was known for her generous hospitality -- her dining room table was crowded at holidays -- and her careful listening.

"Hope believed in the power of love and forgiveness. She felt blessed to live her adult life in Montclair and gratitude for the community at the Newman Center at Montclair State University, Immaculate Conception, the Montclair YMCA, the Salvation Army and St. John’s Episcopal church. She was deeply inspired by her friends on Montclair Avenue and the unending care and grace of that special neighborhood.

"Due to the unfortunate circumstances of COVID - 19, a memorial will be planned at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation."

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