Crawley (Glasgow), Elsie May of East Preston, who resided in Pickering Ont. at the time of her passing, went home peacefully to be with the Lord on May 9, 2019. She lived a faith driven life and was a demonstration of strength and endurance to her family. Born March 11, 1919, the eldest of her siblings, she lived to be 100 years old and lived many years in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario. Predeceased by her parents, John Henry (Glasgow) and Bellivia (Brown), former husband: Alfred “Buster” Crawley, siblings: Aubrey, Ernest, Charles, John, Lavinia, Mary and children: Elsie, Joseph, John, Beatrice, Glenn and Avery. Survived by children: Ross, Iris, Benjamin, Yvonne, Linda, Alvin, Sylvia, Terry, Anthony, 45 Grandchildren, 79 Great-Grandchildren and 26 Great-Great Grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. Going Home Service: May 18 - 1:00 pm Grant AME Church, Toronto Ont. Memorial Service of Remembrance: July 21 – 3:00 pm, East Preston United Baptist Church, East Preston, NS. Full details and condolences: elsie-crawley.forevermissed.com
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Service Program Order of Service
March 11, 1919 – May 9, 2019
They say I was their “Queen” and I truly felt that way, surrounded by my loving family for 100 years.I say, “I was blessed and highly favoured”, and today I am resting in the arms of my Lord and Saviour.
As I looked back over my life, I saw myself as a young girl growing up in the small country community of East Preston, Nova Scotia with four brothers (Aubrey, Ernest, Charles, and John) and two sisters (Lavinia and Mary) and many nieces and nephews. At the age of 17 years young, I was married to Alfred “Buster” Crawley, who was the hardest working man I had ever seen, other than my Papa. Together we were blessed with 15 children. I was active in my home community as a member of the East Preston Baptist Church and worked at the Coloured Home as a Cook for many years.
In 1965 I moved to Toronto, Ontario and was employed in the Maintenance Department at the Ontario Hospital at 999 Queen Street East.Although my move to Toronto gave me many opportunities and memories, my heart always longed for “home”.I spent some years in Montreal, Quebec and worked as a Domestic Engineer, before eventually returning to East Preston, Nova Scotia in the early 90’s.I remembered reconnecting with family and friends and living a “simple” unhurried farm life – I had come back to my roots!
Eventually in the later stages of my life I returned to Ontario and enjoyed my “senior years”, relaxing, laughing, being catered to, pampered, knitting, dancing, praising God at both Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church, Toronto and Emmanuel Temple AME Church, Pickering - watching my family “grow” and prosper right before my eyes – these were amazing times.As I closed my eyes for the final time in this world, I was at peace, “had no aches, no pains” and I was ready to meet my Jesus.
Don’t cry tears of sorrow for me, as I have been reunited with open arms by my Momma “Bellivina” (Brown), Papa “John Henry” (Glasgow), my brothers and sisters, and my children Elsie Victoria , Joseph (Vivian), John (Elsie) Beatrice, Glenn (Irma) and Avery (Elizabeth).
And I must say, heaven is truly a beautiful place. To my children who live on, Ross, Iris (Norman), Benjamin (Jackie), Yvonne (Arnold), Linda, Alvin (Glenda), Sylvia, Terry (Onita), and Anthony (Sherry), I am grateful for the time we spent with each other and I ask that you hold all those special memories in your heart until we meet again. To my 45 Grandchildren, 79 Great-Grandchildren and 26 Great-Great Grandchildren, your “Nanny G” wishes for each of you, to courageously live your lives to the fullest, and to be proud of your roots, as I am so proud of each of you - In you, lies myliving Legacy.
