Elaine Marie (Sullivan) Crawford joined her loving husband, Bob and other family and friends in Heaven as the sun rose on September 11, 2025. She was surrounded by the loving family who supported her valiant fight against long illness.
There will be a visitation at Blanchard’s Funeral Home (666 Plymouth Street, Whitman, MA 02382) from 5:00-7:00 PM with a service to follow at 7:00 PM on Sunday, September 14th, 2025. Burial is scheduled for Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 10:30 AM with a reception lunch to follow. There will be a procession gathering at the funeral home at 10am.
Elaine married her childhood sweetheart, Robert J. Crawford, Jr. in 1964, bringing together two families who then spent decades celebrating milestones together. They grew up in South Boston, lived for a while in NY before settling down to raise a family in Pembroke, MA. With siblings, cousins, parents and friends all nearby, Elaine and Bob raised 5 children while also working, and supporting both school and extracurricular activities for their children. Elaine was a fierce advocate for her kids and their needs in school which prompted her to join the School Committee. She worked several jobs as the kids grew, including a long tenure with Boston Financial Data Services. Together, Bob and Elaine created a house full of laughter, warmth and chaotic energy that drew in children of all ages. Elaine and Bob enjoyed entertaining, creating holiday parties and memories that are remembered new each year by those of us lucky enough to have shared in their joy and hospitality. Christmas was always made extra special with Elaines’s chocolate sauce and delicious dinners. The “Santa” runway of candles lit up Claremont Rd as family sang carols and shared presents and games.
Somehow, Elaine survived countless 2-day car trips from Pembroke to Disneyworld in Florida as we enjoyed making exciting vacation memories as the children grew.
After leaving Pembroke, there was a short stay in NJ before putting down new roots in Stratton Vermont. In Stratton, Elaine welcomed everyone to the “big house” on the hill for holidays, family ski vacations, cook-outs, birthdays and weddings. Small weekend get-together to large family ‘events” Elaine always had a full pantry, a warm hug and plenty of room for everyone. She enjoyed working with the children and her friends at Stratton Childcare and socializing with everyone in that fun community.
Elaine welcomed new members to the family with each wedding and with the addition of each grandchild, her family grew. Nini developed a relationship with each new member making them feel understood, valued and very special. She cherished each of them for all their unique qualities and she was and is loved deeply in return.
Elaine and Bob enjoyed traveling to Bermuda, Scotland, Ireland, England and up and down the east coast as well as to other parts of the US including California.
When challenges came to Bob and Elaine, including cancer, they struggled together and supported each other through the best and worst of times. After Dad’s passing in 2010 with mom at his side, Mom healed from that loss by embracing her role as “Nini” often traveling and staying with her children and helping to raise her grandkids. As the grandkids grew, Elaine shared time between her apartment in Carver, Ma, and long visits with her sisters in Florida, often stopping to visit various children and grandchildren up and down the coast.
Elaine Crawford was pre-deceased by her parents, her loving husband, Robert J. Crawford, Jr. and many beloved family members and friends.
She leaves love and warm memories behind with surviving children, Mary and Todd Hain and her granddaughter, Rachel Hain of Greenville, SC. Geraldine and Donald Barrett of Carver, MA and granddaughters Indiana Barrett and her finance, Silvana Gomez, Laney Prosper and her husband Anthony Prosper and her grandson, Malachi Barrett and his loving girlfriend, Jazmin Kennedy. Her son, Robert JJ Crawford and his wife, Melanie Crawford of Port Deposit, MD. Her son Christopher Crawford and his wife Brittany Crawford in Chambersburg, PA with grandsons Max Crawford and his wife Mollee Crawford, Ryan Crawford, Austin Brumage and J. R. Brumage. Her youngest daughter, Elaine Crawford Foster and her husband, Steve Foster continue to host Vermont memories from their home sharing the legacy of family celebrations.
In addition to her children, she has been loved and supported over the years by her sisters, Ann Macauley (Robert Macauley and her family) and Jean Melucci (Fred Melucci [deceased] and her family) in Florida, her brother George Sullivan, his wife
Joanne and their west coast family. Her best friend/sister-in-law, Marilyn Pendleton (Charles Pendleton [deceased] and their family. Extended family on both the Sullivan and Crawfords side of the family far and near as well as trusted family friends over the years added so much to her very full life.