Life Story for Nancy M. Crowley
Nancy M. Crowley, 75, a beloved educator, cherished friend, and devoted family member, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Born on June 8, 1948, at Hackensack Hospital in Hackensack, NJ, Nancy was the daughter of Paul and Stephanie Devlin.
She grew up in Rutherford, NJ, attending Union School for elementary education and later graduating from Rutherford High School. Nancy pursued her passion for teaching at Trenton State (now The College of New Jersey), earning a degree in Education and later a Masters Degree.
Nancy married Joseph F. Crowley, with whom she shared many beautiful years until his passing on December 7, 2018. Together, they raised two wonderful children, Cheryl and Jeffrey, who were the pride and joy of her life. Nancy is survived by her siblings, Gerald and William Devlin, and found joy in the companionship of her beloved dog, Daisy.
Throughout her career, Nancy dedicated herself to shaping young minds as an elementary school teacher in Ridgefield, NJ from 1970 to 1982. After a brief hiatus to raise her children, in 1992 Nancy returned to teaching, touching the lives of countless students at Sylvan & Lincoln Elementary Schools until her retirement in 2013. Nancy's passion for education extended after retirement from 2017 until her passing as she supervised student teachers at William Paterson University and taught children's religious education classes at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Toms River, NJ, where she found strength and solace in her faith.
Nancy's kindness, generosity, and unwavering love were evident to all who knew her. She cherished her friendships, particularly with lifelong best friend Jeany Smith, Susan Fujii, The Sylvanettes, Fernanda Simoes and Jeanie Volpe.
Outside of her professional life, Nancy enjoyed many hobbies, which included playing pickleball, indulging in a good book, soaking up the sun at the beach, and enjoying Broadway shows. She especially loved spending winters in Naples, Florida, where she embraced the warmth and sunshine.
Nancy's vibrant spirit, zest for life, and genuine love for others will be deeply missed but forever remembered. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, joy, and laughter. Though she may be gone, her memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.
A wake will be held on Wednesday 4:00 to 8:00pm at the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home in Rutherford, NJ. Funeral Thursday 10:00am at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 685 Hooper Ave.,Toms River, NJ. Nancy will be laid to rest alongside her parents at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, NJ, where she will continue to watch over her loved ones with a smile.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made in Nancy's honor to the charitable organizations Nancy supported, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or Tomorrows Children's Fund, and St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Toms River, NJ, where Nancy was an active part of the community.
Let us celebrate Nancy's remarkable life and the profound impact she had on all who knew her. May she rest in eternal peace.
She grew up in Rutherford, NJ, attending Union School for elementary education and later graduating from Rutherford High School. Nancy pursued her passion for teaching at Trenton State (now The College of New Jersey), earning a degree in Education and later a Masters Degree.
Nancy married Joseph F. Crowley, with whom she shared many beautiful years until his passing on December 7, 2018. Together, they raised two wonderful children, Cheryl and Jeffrey, who were the pride and joy of her life. Nancy is survived by her siblings, Gerald and William Devlin, and found joy in the companionship of her beloved dog, Daisy.
Throughout her career, Nancy dedicated herself to shaping young minds as an elementary school teacher in Ridgefield, NJ from 1970 to 1982. After a brief hiatus to raise her children, in 1992 Nancy returned to teaching, touching the lives of countless students at Sylvan & Lincoln Elementary Schools until her retirement in 2013. Nancy's passion for education extended after retirement from 2017 until her passing as she supervised student teachers at William Paterson University and taught children's religious education classes at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Toms River, NJ, where she found strength and solace in her faith.
Nancy's kindness, generosity, and unwavering love were evident to all who knew her. She cherished her friendships, particularly with lifelong best friend Jeany Smith, Susan Fujii, The Sylvanettes, Fernanda Simoes and Jeanie Volpe.
Outside of her professional life, Nancy enjoyed many hobbies, which included playing pickleball, indulging in a good book, soaking up the sun at the beach, and enjoying Broadway shows. She especially loved spending winters in Naples, Florida, where she embraced the warmth and sunshine.
Nancy's vibrant spirit, zest for life, and genuine love for others will be deeply missed but forever remembered. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, joy, and laughter. Though she may be gone, her memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.
A wake will be held on Wednesday 4:00 to 8:00pm at the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home in Rutherford, NJ. Funeral Thursday 10:00am at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 685 Hooper Ave.,Toms River, NJ. Nancy will be laid to rest alongside her parents at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, NJ, where she will continue to watch over her loved ones with a smile.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made in Nancy's honor to the charitable organizations Nancy supported, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or Tomorrows Children's Fund, and St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Toms River, NJ, where Nancy was an active part of the community.
Let us celebrate Nancy's remarkable life and the profound impact she had on all who knew her. May she rest in eternal peace.