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January 26, 2020
Services
Family and friends may gather for Memorial Visitation at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Thursday, January 30, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.
http://sthuberts.org
Jacqueline Ruth Crane, age 76, of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2020.
Jackie, as she was affectionately known, was born in Jersey City, NJ. Being the daughter of an Army father, she moved around a bit as a child and spent her formative years in places including Iceland and California, ultimately settling back in New Jersey where she was on the drill team and the volleyball team at Jonathan Dayton High School, graduating with the class of 1960.
It was soon after high school that Jackie met Roger Crane, a businessman who worked around the corner from Stanley’s Restaurant in Springfield. Jackie worked there as a waitress and while the food was great, once Roger met Jackie, she became his greatest incentive for frequenting the local eatery. When he finally worked up the courage to ask her out, Jackie and Roger’s first date was at a different restaurant, called The Shortstop – a hamburger stop in Belleville. It didn’t take long for the two of them to fall in love, and they were soon after married in the spring of 1963 on Friday, May 18th at the Grand Summit Hotel in Summit, NJ.
The newlyweds’ first home together was an apartment in New Providence where ten months later, they welcomed a baby boy named David. Soon after, Jackie and Roger moved to a house in Rockaway, NJ and two more baby boy blessings arrived, Richard “Rick” and Edward “Ted.” During her sons’ childhood years, Jackie embraced her role as homemaker, loving wife and mother. With house moves in 1974 to Benson Drive in Wayne and in 2005 to the Ridge Rise Complex in Wayne, Jackie made her homes into welcoming places where friends and family always enjoyed gathering. She was truly devoted to her boys and Jackie caringly poured herself into their lives. Her son Dave took a real interest in tennis, while son Rick enjoyed playing basketball and Ted displayed enthusiasm for music and skiing. Consequently, Jackie gladly and sometimes dutifully attended a lot of tennis matches, basketball games, music lessons and spent many days sitting in ski lodges so that all three of her son’s interests could be better developed.
Jackie was equally devoted to her husband Roger. When Dave, Rick and Ted were old enough to take on some independence, Jackie turned her attention more toward Roger’s business venture, which together they called Patriot Printing. Jackie’s entrepreneurial skills and spirit became indispensable to the success of the business. While Roger concentrated on accumulating customers, including but not limited to, the American Red Cross and the Archdiocese of Newark, Jackie wore many hats, such as graphic designer, production manager, logistical leader and bookkeeper. The boys were involved too, to some degree, and developed valuable work skills along the way.
In every facet of life, Jackie and Roger had a mutual respect and admiration for one another and enjoyed infusing lots of good natured fun into their marriage. They loved playing chess and cards together and there was always a puzzle being assembled on the kitchen table. In fact, almost every game they played turned into a friendly competition - even with puzzles - and they were both very skilled at putting puzzles together! They would set a timer for an hour to see who could put together a 500 piece puzzle first. When they had less time, they’d just pick puzzles with less pieces. Every pursuit in life, from the grand to the mundane, always included an element of mind sharpening. For example, gathering together around the table for dinner was just as much about choosing a topic of debate or quizzing each other on naming all the U.S. presidents one night or naming all the countries in South America the next night. It always made dinner time interesting and enjoyable.
When her boys were growing up, there was no one who could plan a vacation with such thoughtfulness and strategy like Jackie. So, since Dave liked tennis, and Rick liked pools with diving boards and Ted liked game rooms, Jackie made sure to plan a vacation where all three boys had access to what they liked the most. Each day of vacation was planned with efficient precision, starting off with breakfast, followed by a morning visit to a historical site or some other teachable activity, then free time for whatever her sons wanted to do. Vacations were always traveled by car, and favorite destinations included Disney, Myrtle Beach, the Outer Banks - basically all of the east coast! And of course, the Jersey Shore, including a beach house they owned at L.B.I. from 1984 to 1998. Many family memories were made there and nothing made Jackie happier than having her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren present.
Jackie simply adored her six grandchildren and by all accounts, the feeling was mutual. She took a keen interest in each one of them, oftentimes seeming to unconsciously ignore the adults because she was so focused and interested in what was going on in her grandchildren’s lives. She treated them like her own sons, never wanting to miss any of their games or other accomplishments. Even when she got older and mobility proved to be more difficult, she and Roger would park as close to the game as possible to get a view of the action.
Jackie had plenty of love to go around for her friends too. She and her girlfriend, Gail, maintained a long-standing tradition for over forty years of getting together every Tuesday afternoon for lunch together at Aldo’s or the Village Inn in Wayne. Having gone through every phase of life together, they never seemed to run out of things to talk about. She always kept in touch with her cherished friends, including her dear friend Sandy.
Her adoration for animals was equal to her love for humans, especially her faithful blonde lab named Sam. He was like their fourth child who came into Jackie and Roger’s life to dote upon just as her sons were entering that season of life where they were getting married or moving into places of their own. Of course, her sons and daughters-in-law were always welcomed back home, especially when they brought their own dogs, which Jackie affectionately referred to as her grand dogs. Her dog Sam was a symbol of Jackie’s love and concern for all of God’s creatures. He suffered from anxiety, so when Jackie and Roger would go out, they always parked the car where Sam could see them to keep him calm. Sam was rescued from an animal shelter and any organization that looked out for the welfare of animals was an organization Jackie would support.
Jackie leaves behind wonderful memories and a lasting legacy as an adoring wife and most loving mother, mother-in-law and grandmother. She epitomized selflessness, always caring about others more than herself. She was thoughtful, resourceful and generous. Well-learned, she loved to read books of all genres, watch classic movies, attend Broadway shows, and keep up with the latest in current affairs as well as pop-culture. Consequently, she was very funny and very interesting to spend time with. Her family and friends give thanks for her loving presence and influence in their lives.
Jackie was the beloved wife of Roger, blessed in marriage for 56 years. She was the very loving mother of: Dave and wife Patricia Crane of Glen Rock, Rick and wife Joy Crane of Summit, and Ted Crane of Fort Myers, FL; and cherished grandmother of: Alex, Trevor, Shaun, Nicole, Andrew and Ella.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Jackie’s name are asked to consider St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, P.O. Box 159, 575 Woodland Ave. Madison, NJ 07940. You may also donate online at sthuberts.org
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Family and friends may gather for Memorial Visitation at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Thursday, January 30, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.
January 26, 2020
Services
Family and friends may gather for Memorial Visitation at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Thursday, January 30, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.
http://sthuberts.org
Jacqueline Ruth Crane, age 76, of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2020.
Jackie, as she was affectionately known, was born in Jersey City, NJ. Being the daughter of an Army father, she moved around a bit as a child and spent her formative years in places including Iceland and California, ultimately settling back in New Jersey where she was on the drill team and the volleyball team at Jonathan Dayton High School, graduating with the class of 1960.
It was soon after high school that Jackie met Roger Crane, a businessman who worked around the corner from Stanley’s Restaurant in Springfield. Jackie worked there as a waitress and while the food was great, once Roger met Jackie, she became his greatest incentive for frequenting the local eatery. When he finally worked up the courage to ask her out, Jackie and Roger’s first date was at a different restaurant, called The Shortstop – a hamburger stop in Belleville. It didn’t take long for the two of them to fall in love, and they were soon after married in the spring of 1963 on Friday, May 18th at the Grand Summit Hotel in Summit, NJ.
The newlyweds’ first home together was an apartment in New Providence where ten months later, they welcomed a baby boy named David. Soon after, Jackie and Roger moved to a house in Rockaway, NJ and two more baby boy blessings arrived, Richard “Rick” and Edward “Ted.” During her sons’ childhood years, Jackie embraced her role as homemaker, loving wife and mother. With house moves in 1974 to Benson Drive in Wayne and in 2005 to the Ridge Rise Complex in Wayne, Jackie made her homes into welcoming places where friends and family always enjoyed gathering. She was truly devoted to her boys and Jackie caringly poured herself into their lives. Her son Dave took a real interest in tennis, while son Rick enjoyed playing basketball and Ted displayed enthusiasm for music and skiing. Consequently, Jackie gladly and sometimes dutifully attended a lot of tennis matches, basketball games, music lessons and spent many days sitting in ski lodges so that all three of her son’s interests could be better developed.
Jackie was equally devoted to her husband Roger. When Dave, Rick and Ted were old enough to take on some independence, Jackie turned her attention more toward Roger’s business venture, which together they called Patriot Printing. Jackie’s entrepreneurial skills and spirit became indispensable to the success of the business. While Roger concentrated on accumulating customers, including but not limited to, the American Red Cross and the Archdiocese of Newark, Jackie wore many hats, such as graphic designer, production manager, logistical leader and bookkeeper. The boys were involved too, to some degree, and developed valuable work skills along the way.
In every facet of life, Jackie and Roger had a mutual respect and admiration for one another and enjoyed infusing lots of good natured fun into their marriage. They loved playing chess and cards together and there was always a puzzle being assembled on the kitchen table. In fact, almost every game they played turned into a friendly competition - even with puzzles - and they were both very skilled at putting puzzles together! They would set a timer for an hour to see who could put together a 500 piece puzzle first. When they had less time, they’d just pick puzzles with less pieces. Every pursuit in life, from the grand to the mundane, always included an element of mind sharpening. For example, gathering together around the table for dinner was just as much about choosing a topic of debate or quizzing each other on naming all the U.S. presidents one night or naming all the countries in South America the next night. It always made dinner time interesting and enjoyable.
When her boys were growing up, there was no one who could plan a vacation with such thoughtfulness and strategy like Jackie. So, since Dave liked tennis, and Rick liked pools with diving boards and Ted liked game rooms, Jackie made sure to plan a vacation where all three boys had access to what they liked the most. Each day of vacation was planned with efficient precision, starting off with breakfast, followed by a morning visit to a historical site or some other teachable activity, then free time for whatever her sons wanted to do. Vacations were always traveled by car, and favorite destinations included Disney, Myrtle Beach, the Outer Banks - basically all of the east coast! And of course, the Jersey Shore, including a beach house they owned at L.B.I. from 1984 to 1998. Many family memories were made there and nothing made Jackie happier than having her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren present.
Jackie simply adored her six grandchildren and by all accounts, the feeling was mutual. She took a keen interest in each one of them, oftentimes seeming to unconsciously ignore the adults because she was so focused and interested in what was going on in her grandchildren’s lives. She treated them like her own sons, never wanting to miss any of their games or other accomplishments. Even when she got older and mobility proved to be more difficult, she and Roger would park as close to the game as possible to get a view of the action.
Jackie had plenty of love to go around for her friends too. She and her girlfriend, Gail, maintained a long-standing tradition for over forty years of getting together every Tuesday afternoon for lunch together at Aldo’s or the Village Inn in Wayne. Having gone through every phase of life together, they never seemed to run out of things to talk about. She always kept in touch with her cherished friends, including her dear friend Sandy.
Her adoration for animals was equal to her love for humans, especially her faithful blonde lab named Sam. He was like their fourth child who came into Jackie and Roger’s life to dote upon just as her sons were entering that season of life where they were getting married or moving into places of their own. Of course, her sons and daughters-in-law were always welcomed back home, especially when they brought their own dogs, which Jackie affectionately referred to as her grand dogs. Her dog Sam was a symbol of Jackie’s love and concern for all of God’s creatures. He suffered from anxiety, so when Jackie and Roger would go out, they always parked the car where Sam could see them to keep him calm. Sam was rescued from an animal shelter and any organization that looked out for the welfare of animals was an organization Jackie would support.
Jackie leaves behind wonderful memories and a lasting legacy as an adoring wife and most loving mother, mother-in-law and grandmother. She epitomized selflessness, always caring about others more than herself. She was thoughtful, resourceful and generous. Well-learned, she loved to read books of all genres, watch classic movies, attend Broadway shows, and keep up with the latest in current affairs as well as pop-culture. Consequently, she was very funny and very interesting to spend time with. Her family and friends give thanks for her loving presence and influence in their lives.
Jackie was the beloved wife of Roger, blessed in marriage for 56 years. She was the very loving mother of: Dave and wife Patricia Crane of Glen Rock, Rick and wife Joy Crane of Summit, and Ted Crane of Fort Myers, FL; and cherished grandmother of: Alex, Trevor, Shaun, Nicole, Andrew and Ella.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Jackie’s name are asked to consider St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, P.O. Box 159, 575 Woodland Ave. Madison, NJ 07940. You may also donate online at sthuberts.org
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