Rosemary Crawford

With great sadness the family of Rosemary Crawford, 91, of Mahone Bay, NS, announce her passing on Friday September 6, 2024.

Rosemary is survived and mourned by her children Jill Nelson of Toronto, David (Barbara) Crawford of Kelowna, BC, Robert Crawford of Lunenburg NS, and sister-in-law Susan Speke of Toronto. She will be missed deeply by her grandchildren Meredith & Jennie Nelson and Erin & Jasmine Crawford, and remembered fondly by nieces Anna, Toby and Robin.

She was predeceased by parents Haskell and Eloise Coates; husband of 67 years Dick Crawford; brother David Coates, his wife Claire and their daughter Susan; son-in-law Reed Nelson; and brother-in-law Nick Speke.

Rosemary attended St. Clements School in Toronto, followed by a year at Denison College in Ohio and three years at the University of Toronto where she obtained a BA in Sociology. She was a proud member of the Delta Gamma sorority.

She was a lively girl and young woman whose love of fun and adventure is warmly remembered, often with laughter! Rosemary had a gift for friendship and made lifelong friends in high school, university, at work, and wherever she lived. Her beaming smile charmed all, and her curiosity and intelligence made her an interesting and lively companion. She loved watching sports and the nightly news, reading books of all kinds, and enjoyed music, travel, and fine clothes and jewelry.. Her parents were Christian Scientists and instilled in her a strong faith, and interest in Bible study which she continued her whole life.

With flashing blue eyes and a brilliant smile, she was very popular with the young men, but when she met Dick Crawford on a blind date in university, she was smitten. So was he. He often told us that when they started dancing, he thought he had never held anything so soft.

Rosemary’s life changed when she was in a head-on collision that badly damaged her left leg. She credits the orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Frederick Dewar with saving her leg and encouraging her recovery. They developed a mutual admiration for each other … he for the tenacious young woman who wouldn’t let this tragedy define or limit her, and she for his expertise in healing her leg and the wisdom to overcome the lifestyle changes that would result.

The ordeal had one good outcome … Dick visited her in the hospital most days during her recovery, growing their love and deep commitment to each other. They graduated from U of T in June 1956 and were married on June 15, 1957. Rosemary worked at Canada Life and at Canadian Shell Ltd until she became a mother in 1960.
Raising three children in the ‘60s and ‘70s was challenging and she worked hard. Our memories are full of good times at the cabin and road trips to the East Coast. Did we have any idea what it took to feed and clothe three kids, get us all to and through skating, piano, horseback riding, swimming lessons and homework, and maintain two lovely homes (Toronto and Mansfield)? She made sure we lived that full and interesting life … all while keeping up her own friendships, volunteering at Gibson House, and even keeping her mind sharp in the University Women’s Club!

In 1982, the family moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia when Dick became president and chief executive officer of Maritime Life. Rosemary had never expected to move away from Toronto, but she took on the challenge with her usual determination and resourcefulness. She went ahead to Halifax and chose the house on Point Pleasant Drive that she turned into a lovely home and a focal point for family and social gatherings. She made new and deep friendships, and old friends came to visit the East Coast.

Having tasted NS living, Rosemary and Dick decided to stay after retirement. They built a new house in the hills overlooking Mahone Bay where Rosemary once again created a warm and beautiful home.
Rosemary became a well-loved member of her church and the greater community. She loved to learn. In addition to Bible study, she embarked on a creative writing course and took classes with Dalhousie Senior College. She and Dick read to the residents at the Mahone Bay Nursing Home, making their way through the Jan Karon “Mitford” series several times and brightening many lives in the process. She was a regular sight at concerts, and dining with friends and with Dick in the many restaurants in the area.

It has a been a blow to lose both our parents within such a short time, but it has focused us all on happy memories of two lives well lived. We are grateful beyond words for the kindness and support received from friends, family, neighbours and healthcare workers during the last few months.

We will remember Rosemary at a funeral at St. James Anglican Church in Mahone Bay on October 9 at 2 p.m.

No flowers please. If you wish, a memorial donation made to the Hinchinbrook Farm Society, Blockhouse NS (via CanadaHelps.org) would be meaningful to the family.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Mahone Funeral Home, P.O. Box 200, 32 Parish St., Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0 (902-624-8241). Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.mahonefuneral.ca