MARION – Jay Crowley passed away on October 17, 2022, after a long and active life. Jay was born in Beijing, China, to Julia (Coolidge) and Frederick Deane and grew up in Boston and Marion MA. She graduated from the Winsor School in 1940 and Radcliffe College in 1943 completing her BA in American Government in three years. During WWII she worked for the Office of War Information, first in New York, then in South Africa. Married in 1948 to Thomas T. Crowley (d. 2001) of Cambridge MA, she raised four children and was actively involved in the various communities where they lived, including London England, Sewickley PA, Montreal Canada, Milan Italy, Villanova PA, South Hadley MA, finally settling in Marion MA.

Jay’s life centered around her family, extended family and her community. She spent much time on the water sailing with her husband and children, as well as supporting the Beverly Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program. She volunteered for numerous organizations, including as lifelong volunteer of the League of Women Voters, and helped publish the Blue Book, a community phonebook for Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester. She loved working with the children of Marion and helped found Volunteers at Sippican Elementary School (VASE) participating herself as a library volunteer, executive board member and volunteer coordinator for almost two decades. Also for the Sippican School Library she organized volunteers for Reading is Fundamental, and created a reading aloud program for kindergartners and their parents. In 1988 she was elected to the Marion Planning Board and served for the next 23 years. She was a fierce advocate for waterfront protection and development that would preserve and enhance the character of the town. In 2000 Jay received The Sippican Historical Society Annual Award for Dedicated Service to Marion. In later years, she served on the on the Marion Tree Committee and participated in the Bible Study Group at St. Gabriel’s Church.

She is survived by: her son John Crowley and spouse Kay Smith, Arlington VA; daughter Julia Parmentier and spouse Marc, Foster RI; son Thomas Crowley and spouse Gretchen, Annapolis MD; and son Ralph Crowley and spouse Sylvia Wang, New York, NY; and grandchildren, Julia Crowley, Anne Elise Parmentier, Eleanor Parmentier, Thomas Deane Crowley, Kelly Crowley, James Crowley, and Meriel Crowley-Wang.

A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Jay can be made to VASE, 16 Spring St, Marion MA 02738 and to St Gabriel’s Church, PO Box 545 Marion Ma 02738, attn Outreach.