Mary Ellen (Maureen) Hurley Crane, beloved wife of Douglas P Crane Sr. passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord on December 15, 2020 at the age of 83. A lifelong New Rochelle resident, Maureen attended Blessed Sacrament Grammar School, St. Gabriel High School and graduated from the College of New Rochelle with her degree in Education.
Maureen met the love of her life, Doug Crane, on her first day working at Terrytoons in New Rochelle. It was his first day also and it was love at first sight. Maureen and Doug married on June 20, 1959 and she moved to be with him at his Army base of Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX. When they completed their post in TX, they moved right back to New Rochelle and never left again, with Doug continuing in the animation and cartooning industry and Maureen staying home to raise their 8 children as a devoted mom. While raising those children you could often find her volunteering at any of their schools, but most often on the Parish Council, or in the library or classrooms at Holy Family Grammar School.
As their children grew, the house was full of chaotic activity and joyous noise. There were always friends and neighbors coming and going and those that were there when Maureen made her famous chili were just told to grab a bowl and get in line. Everyone was welcome and everyone was fed.
Maureen eventually decided to go back into the classroom full time and took long term substitute teaching positions that led to a full-time position. She taught at several local schools but spent most of her career at Sacred Heart Grammar School in Mt. Vernon, NY. She was a firm but fair teacher who believed that her students could be whatever they wanted to be and encouraged them to work hard and reach for the moon.
When Maureen retired, she stayed at home to take care of her elderly mother full time. She was always a caregiver. In her spare time, you could find Maureen playing with any of her grandchildren or great grandchildren, working on picture puzzles, crossword puzzles or math games and you never saw Maureen without a book. Maureen was very proud of her Irish heritage. Her parents Rose and Tommy Hurley had emigrated from county Mayo and county Kerry in 1929 and growing up, her house was often filled with relatives and friends from the old country and she loved going back to Ireland to visit as well. When her own children were young, the family could often be found at a Ceilidh or Feis held throughout New York state, where the Crane children competed, and held titles, in Irish step dancing. Her love of Irish history, folklore and music stayed with her and comforted her throughout her life.
Maureen is survived by her husband of 61 years, Doug and their children Maureen of Piscataway, NJ, Erin (her husband Mark & their daughters Megan, Katie & Kerry & their families) of Cooper City, FL , Thomas (his wife Debbie & their children Sean & Brianna & their families) of Oakton, VA, Colleen (her husband Art & their children AJ, Aidan, Tiernan & Riley) of Stuart, FL, Caitlin (her husband Shawn) of Port St. Lucie, FL, Kevin (his wife Erin & their children Abigail & Nathaniel) of Ringgold, GA and Rose-Ellen (her husband Andrew & their daughters Sam, Shannon, Jordan & Hayley) of Falls Church, VA. Maureen was predeceased by her parents Rose Philbin Hurley in 2003, and Thomas Hurley in 1986 and her son Douglas Jr. in 2018. Maureen has 15 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and a large network of family and friends that will miss her. Please keep her family in your prayers.
A Catholic Service is being planned for this spring or summer (as COVID-19 restrictions hopefully relax) and internment will follow at Beechwoods Cemetery. Messages of condolences can be emailed to TheMamaCrane78@gmail.com
Maureen, May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
A Mass is scheduled for Saturday, June 19th, 2021 at Holy Family Church at 9:30am, followed by inurnment at Beechwoods Cemetery.