Marion Crawford

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Marion Crawford created a brilliantly colored mosaic of memories while holding her loved ones near. She was never one to determine success by the world’s standards, rather, she discovered the true blessing found in loving others without condition. For 65 years Marion shared her journey with the love of her life with whom she witnessed her family tree blossom to include the children and grandchildren she adored. Although she enjoyed traveling, there was nothing that compared to being surrounded by her loved ones. Marion will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

The 1930s were an exciting time in our nation’s history filled with new discoveries and prosperity that covered cities and towns all across our great land. Radios, affordable cars, and motion pictures in both color and sound were signs of the time while Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart took to the skies. It was during this exciting time in our nation’s history that Marion’s story began.

Born on July 18, 1926, Marion experienced an upbringing that was very much a reflection of her generation. She enjoyed doing things like ice skating and going to the movies. Marion looked forward to going to visit her grandparents in the coal mining town of Calumet, Michigan, located in the Upper Peninsula. These visits were some of the times Marion treasured most throughout her formative years. By the time she became a teenager, her interests grew to include hanging out with her friends and her little sister, Liz. With our nation’s entrance into WWII in 1941, Marion joined the countless Americans who were called to serve overseas or to support the war effort from back home by doing office and clerical work for the United States Army. As a young woman she also moved to the Upper Peninsula for a short time to work for Michigan Tech University.

New and exciting changes were in store for Marion when she met the young man with whom she would write a love story that would span 65 wonderful years. His name was William Crawford, and it didn’t take the young sweethearts long to fall deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Marion and William were married in 1948. Together they were blessed to welcome two sons into their hearts and home, Doug and Bob. In 1962 their busy family moved to Livonia where Marion remained for 50 years. When her family grew to include her grandsons, Nicholas and Tyler, she couldn’t have been happier. Marion was an active part of their lives and enjoyed sharing all kinds of activities with her grandchildren.

Although being with her family was first and foremost in her life, Marion found other experiences to be greatly enriching as well. She enjoyed traveling, especially to California to visit her sister. Trips to Europe including London and Switzerland were also among Marion’s favorites. She had an appreciation for music and played the piano herself, too. In her free time Marion also enjoyed keeping busy with arts and crafts.

All who knew Marion Crawford would agree that she was one of the sweetest people around. She always had a positive attitude and could find the silver lining along any black cloud, even when the storms of life loomed overhead. Life was not without times of trial for Marion, but she was accompanied by a quiet strength and a graceful spirit that carried her through. She was kindhearted and gentle with a warm and inviting demeanor that drew others near with ease. Life will never be the same for Marion’s loved ones without her here, but her timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by those who follow her.

Marion Crawford died on March 13, 2014. Marion’s family includes her son, Robert (Michele) Crawford, and her grandsons, Nicholas and Tyler Crawford. Marion was preceded in death by her loving husband, William, and her son, Douglas Crawford. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile Road (btn Merriman and Middlebelt). Prayers Monday 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a procession to the 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Genevieve-St. Maurice Catholic Church, 29015 Jamison (east of Middlebelt). Please visit www.TurowskiLifeStory.com where you may sign the guestbook, share a memory, or upload a photo.