Published October 18, 2019
MELROSE — Shirley (McHatton) Crawford, 90, of Melrose, passed away at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital on Oct. 11, 2019.
Shirley was born and raised in Melrose and a graduate of Melrose High School, Class of 1946. She was a lifelong Melrose resident and worked as a Program Manager for EMARC in Melrose prior to her retirement at the age of 62. Shirley also worked as a Certified Nurses Aid for the Middlesex Fells Nursing Home and as an operator for the telephone company. She was the President of the McCarthy House Social Club in Melrose and a member of the St. Mary’s Church Ladies Sodality and Milano Senior Center in Melrose for many years.
Shirley was the beloved wife of the late Robert L. Crawford. Loving mother of Joan (VonHandorf) Turnquist and her late husband Paul VonHandorf of Melrose, Robert L. Crawford Jr. and his wife Patricia of N.H., Mary Jane Hawes and her husband Michael of Billerica, Richard G. Crawford of North Reading, Debra E. Crawford of N.H., the late Joey E. Crawford and foster daughter Peggy Schacht of Andover. Cherished grandmother of Amy, Paul, Julianne, Robert, Angela, Richard and Michael. Caring sister of Robert McHatton of Maine and the late Eleanor Cronin, Dorothy Geyer, Ruth Gorman and Irene Murray. Also survived by 17 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visiting hours were held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Tuesday, Oct. 15. A funeral service was held at the Gately Funeral Home on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Relatives and friends were respectfully invited to attend. Burial in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. To sign online condolence visit www.gatelyfh.com
