Obituary: Mary Ann Crowe

Mary Ann Crowe

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Mary Ann Crowe, 93, passed peacefully on July 4 in her home on Grand Island.

Mary Ann, the only child of Kenneth and Clara Kumro, was born June 30, 1933. She grew up on Adams Street in Tonawanda and she was the valedictorian of her graduating class at Mount St. Mary Academy. With a recommendation from the Sisters of St. Mary’s, she was able to attend Niagara University on a scholarship. She graduated summa cum laude and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Niagara in 1955.

While at Niagara, she met her future husband of 64 years, George F. Crowe, who graduated from Niagara in 1954. They remained dedicated to education and to Niagara through the following decades. They endowed a nursing scholarship at Niagara and, in honor of their son, Terry, also endowed scholarships at both Niagara and Canisius College for ROTC students.

In 2015, Mary Ann and George received the Distinguished Alumni Award for their long-term contributions to Niagara University.

After graduation in 1955, Mary Ann began a nursing career, in which she worked continually for almost 40 years. She specialized in gastroenterology, primarily in hospitals, including a long stint at DeGraff Memorial Hospital.

Mary Ann had an unwavering devotion to her family. She and George raised their children on Grand Island and were active in numerous community events. After becoming a Gold Star mother in 2005, when her son, Terry, was killed in action in Iraq, she and George remained steadfast in their devotion to God, family and country. 

Fiercely independent, she elected repeated hip surgeries in her late 80s. After her husband, George, passed in 2021 – and wheelchair-bound – she continued to live in their home until the time of her death.

Mary Ann Crowe was the loving mother of Kate Olin, Peg (Randy) White, Daniel G. Crowe, Molly (Jeff) McRaney, and the late Lt. Col. Terrence K. Crowe; the dedicated grandmother of Jeremiah J. and Clara L. Crowe, Abigail C. and Kam Olin, Ryan D. (Mary), Patrick M., Margaret Mary, Kathleen Grace and Brigid H. White, Shannon and Casey Grace, and Sydney and Allison Crowe; and proud great-grandmother of Quinn and Lyla Crowe.

Visitation to be held at Kaiser Funeral Home on Grand Island from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, July 12. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Monday, July 13, at St. Stephen R.C. Church on Grand Island.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the George and Mary Ann Crowe Nursing Scholarship at Niagara University.

Share condolences at kaiserfuneral.com.