Kathleen Anne Crawford, age 72 of Cambridge Springs, PA passed away at Wesbury in Meadville, PA on Thursday, October 20, 2022, after a four-year battle with dementia and cancer. Kathleen was born in Albany, NY on November 2, 1949. She was the daughter of the late John Joseph Ray and Florence Irene (McCloskey) Ray of Castleton-on-Hudson, NY. On July 10, 1971, she married William Thomas Crawford, also of Castleton, NY. In 1971, Kathleen earned a bachelor’s degree from Nazareth College of Rochester, NY in Music Education. She taught music at Butler Catholic in Butler, PA in the 1980’s. After moving to Cambridge Springs in 1986, she became the music teacher at Maplewood Elementary School. She taught there for 19 years retiring in 2008. She especially enjoyed playing the piano. For several years she accompanied the Saegertown High School Chorus and played in the orchestra for many productions of the French Creek Community Theater. She also served as the musician for St. Anthony’s Church in Cambridge Springs.
She is survived by her husband, William T. Crawford of Cambridge Springs, whom she met in kindergarten; son Peter A. Crawford and his wife, Andrea M. Cerio of Woburn, MA and their children Joseph and Charles; daughter Amy Elizabeth Engquist and her husband, Jeremy D. Engquist of Jamestown, NY and their children Anna, Ryan, Erin, and Lauren; and daughter Abigail Jean Gilmore and her husband Thomas M. Gilmore of Wattsburg, PA and their children Michael and Elizabeth.
Kathleen was always proud to announce that she had seven brothers, all younger than she. Her brothers are John J. Ray and his wife Meg Benke of Saratoga Springs, NY; Vincent A. Ray of Brisbane Australia; Martin G. Ray of Castleton-on-Hudson, NY; Richard W. (Willy) Ray of Albany, NY; James P. Ray and his wife Ann of South Windsor, CT; Daniel A. Ray of Castleton, NY and the late Robert T. Ray.
Friends are invited to visit the family at Van Matre Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 1 to 4 PM. A prayer service will follow with Rev. Fr. Mark Nowak of St. Anthony of Padua officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cambridge Springs Public Library 158 McClellan St. Cambridge Springs, PA 16403 (www.cambridge.ccfls.org.)
Crawford, I know Kathy will be terribly missed. She was a stellar person, immensely talented, very kind and always fun. She will always hold a very special place in my heart. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bill and family – My deepest sympathies for your loss.
Sending prayers and sympathy to the Crawford and Ray family.
I remember attending Kathy’s senior recital at Nazareth and her final selection was for Jack and Flo, “Ragtime Gal”. She had our parents almost dancing in the aisles!
I was so very sorry to hear that Kathy had passed away. I have many wonderful memories of time spent with her and they bring me comfort. I do hope the same is true for all the members of the family. Sincere condolences to you all.
I was so sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. I have so many happy memories of her and know that they will bring me comfort. I can only hope the same for all of her family members. Take care.
Bill- I am so sorry to hear about Kathy! She was such a light in so many lives with her faith and smile and sense of humor! I will always consider myself fortunate to have been friends with her! Condolences to your children and her brothers and their families!
Our Sympathies to the family. What a great person and excellent teacher. She will live on through many of her students.and through her musical talents that she shared with them. . Our thouhgts and prayers are with the family.
Heaven gained another ANGEL.
So sorry for your loss. I taught with Kathy for many years and we car pooled most of the time. She was such a fun, quirky gal and a very talented teacher. She will be missed by many.
DEEPEST SYMPATHIES, when someone you love becomes a memory, their memory becomes a treasure
Prayers for the family🙏🙏🙏