Amelia C. (Crowshaw) Reilly
7/5/2008

Amelia C. Reilly, 89

Dateline: Norton, MA

Amelia C. (Crowshaw) Reilly, 89, a lifelong resident of Norton died peacefully in the comfort of her family homestead on Saturday July 5, 2008. She was the beloved wife of the late George J. Reilly who passed away on July 29, 1988. Mr. and Mrs. Reilly were wed on October 30, 1941.
Born in Norton, MA on July 2, 1919 she was a loving daughter of the late Joseph W. and Martha J. (Crane) Crowshaw.
She was educated in Norton public schools and was a 1937 graduate of Norton High School. She furthered her studies and was a 1939 graduate of Burdett College.
Mrs. Reilly was the Assistant Director for the Department of Public Welfare in Attleboro and retired in 1983 after 29 years of loyal service. She originally served as Director here in Norton till the state took it over. After retirement she still remained involved through the Welfare Advisory Board. In her younger years she worked as a bookkeeper at the family farm and at the Ora A. Andrews Insurance Co. in Norton and at the former Leonard’s Drugstore in Taunton.
Active in town affairs Amelia was one of the original members of Norton Housing Authority. She was appointed by town selectmen in 1967 to determine if there was a need for Housing Authority. After a year the group reported back to the Board and Town Meeting and the authority was formed. She retired from the Housing Authority after 20 years of service in 1988. Hillside Adult Care was another project Mrs. Reilly was involved with from the beginning as well as the Head Start program. She enjoyed working the town election polls and was a regular volunteer for the American Red Cross.
A lifelong devoted member of the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Norton she was a faithful worshiper and had served on numerous committees and engaged in the activities of various church groups throughout the years.
Knowledgeable in regards to the history of the town she loved so much, her ancestors settled in Norton in 1765 and started the Crane Farm, a dairy farm on Crane Street which had milk routes in Norton, Taunton and Attleboro. The milk business was sold in 1950 to Clover Valley in Easton and the farm remained her home of which she was always a strong advocate for.
Amelia was a charter member of the Norton Historical Society and for many years enjoyed opening her home at springtime to the youngsters at Norton schools for class tours. She was proud to be able to trace her family heritage back to the Mayflower through several lines. She and her late husband George had also traveled to Ireland where they were able to trace his family as well.
When not on the farm she liked spending the summers and fall months at the family’s summer home in Wareham. Family was everything to Amelia and she always felt comfortable knowing they were nearby for her, they loved and cared for her with the utmost respect and dignity.
She is survived by her devoted children Martha A. Dion and her husband Paul, Jr. of Norton, Francis J. “Butch” Reilly and his wife Jamie of Norton and Gene E. Reilly and his wife Sylvia of Goodyear, Arizona, also survived by her cherished 13 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter. She was the niece of the late Esther A. (Crane) Spencer.
Funeral services, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Monday July 14th at 10:00 A.M. at the Trinitarian Congregational Church, East Main and Pine Streets, Norton. Burial will follow in the Crane-Leonard Cemetery, Norton.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday July 13th from 5-8 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home 19 Clapp St. (Off Route 140, Taunton Ave.) Norton.
In lieu of flowers, Amelia’s family has requested that donations in her memory be made to Hospice or the Community Visiting Nurse Agency, Inc. 10 Emory St. Attleboro, MA 02703.
For additional information please visit www.nortonmemorial.com

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Norton Memorial Funeral Home
19 Clapp Street
Norton, MA USA 02766
508-285-4402