Edna (Roche) Crowley

EDNA (ROCHE) CROWLEY – in Woburn, Jan.29th at ninety five years of age. Beloved wife of the late John T. Crowley. Devoted mother of Patricia F. MacKinnon, her husband Kenneth of FL, Jeanne A. Sullivan, her husband Daniel of ME, Paul J. Crowley, his wife Debra of FL, Mary E. Crowley of Billerica, and the late Timothy Crowley. Dear sister of Edward Roche of Brockton and the late Helen Murray, Mildred Levreault and Joseph Roche. Loving Nana of seven grandchildren, and “G.G.” to four great-grandchildren. A Funeral will be held from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Friday, February 2nd at 10 a.m. followed by her Funeral Mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, at 11 a.m. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to call at the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, Thursday, February 1st, 3 – 7 p.m. Remembrances maybe made in honor of Edna to the Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215. For directions or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.lynch-cantillon.com or Facebook under Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home.

OBITUARY:

Edna M. (Roche) Crowley passed away after a brief illness, with her beloved family by her side, Monday, January 29th. The beloved wife of the late John T. Crowley, Sr., she was ninety-five years of age.

Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Muise) Roche. Raised and educated in Roxbury, Edna was a graduate of Roxbury High School, along with the Class of 1940. While in high school, Edna was an outstanding student, graduating as the Valedictorian of the Class and she had also served as a Class Officer over the years, serving as President of the 1940 Senior Class!

Immediately following high school Edna had secured herself a position as a secretary in one of the Boston firms. While working in Boston she had met John Crowley from Woburn, who at the time was working for Ma Bell. They dated a while and had become quite serious. World War II broke out, John enlisted in the United States Navy and was being shipped out of Norfolk, VA. They married there, prior to John’s departure and for over the next sixty three years, devoted themselves to each other and their five children with whom they were blessed.

Establishing their home in Woburn well over sixty years ago, the Crowley’s established themselves “on the hill” by the Choate Hospital for over fifty of those years.

Needless to say throughout the years Edna was quite busy tending to the daily household chores and the needs of their children. Edna was notorious for her desserts! The brownies, blueberry muffins, and hermits were favorites

Summers were always special when all of the Crowley and Roche Clans would gather for vacations at the Cape. Always lots of fun in the sun, time on the beach along with hamburgers, hot dogs and marshmallows! After the children were grown they now had time to travel! Which they did! Cruises, Foxwoods, Las Vegas and for over twelve years they would go to Florida for the winters, spending time with their son and family.

Edna was a woman of very strong faith, throughout her lifetime. Over the years she had been a daily communicant at St. Charles, where all her children were baptized and received all their sacraments from. As her children were growing up and for as long as she lived “on the hill” she was always very active in all the happenings of the Church. For over the last ten years she had always notified everyone at Sr. Housing on Campbell St ., when it was First Friday and the time of the Service.

A truly loving, kind and thoughtful woman Edna was always watching out for others. A woman of true and honest commitment, Edna took great pride in all that she did throughout her lifetime and kept her faith strong and unshakeable throughout her life’s journey.

Sadly, Edna was predeceased by her dear son Timmy, along with her parents, sisters Helen Murray, Mildred Levreault and brother Joseph Roche.

Edna is lovingly survived by her family Patricia F. MacKinnon, her husband Kenneth of FL, Jeanne A. Sullivan, her husband Daniel of ME, Paul J. Crowley, his wife Debra of FL, Mary E. Crowley of Billerica. Dear sister of Edward Roche of Brockton. Loving Nana of Peter MacKinnon, his wife Elizabeth, Lisa Dupont, her husband Shane, Daniel J. Sullivan, Kerry A. McKim, her late husband Bryon, Heather Jones, her husband Tadd, Ryan and Megan Crowley., and “G.G.” to four great-grandchildren, Owen, Emily, Alison, and Madeleine. A Funeral will be held from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Friday, February 2nd at 10 a.m. followed by her Funeral Mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, at 11 a.m. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to call at the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, Thursday, February 1st, 3 – 7 p.m. Remembrances maybe made in honor of Edna to the Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215. For directions or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.lynch-cantillon.com or Facebook under Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home.