Marion E. Crowley (95), passed away on December 25, 2024, after a period of declining health. She was born February 6, 1929, in Ashland NH. She was the second daughter of Carl and Grace (Dawson) Crowley. Marion attended Ashland High School where she graduated in 1947 and went on to attend Plymouth Teacher’s College where she graduated with her teaching degree in 1951. Marion moved to Connecticut in 1951 where she and her sister Carlene Crowley made their home for more than 60 years.

Marion taught at the Busby School for girls in West Hartford CT for several years and then moved on to a career in the insurance industry. Marion was employed by Connecticut Mutual Life for 35 years and retired from Connecticut Mutual in 1989.

Marion truly loved to work! She took pride in her professional accomplishments and took a genuine interest in the success of the people who worked with her. Marion made many good friends during her tenure at CML and remained in touch with a group of very special friends, from her CML days, right up until her passing.

Marion had a variety of interests. She was an avid reader of all things non-fiction, she watched the world news and the related political scene with keen interest, she was a New York Giants fan through and through and she absolutely loved to drive! Her love of driving was plain to all who knew her and was most certainly apparent when she made the decision to purchase a 1921 Model A Pickup truck, which she lovingly named, “The Silver Spike!” This was used for running around NH in the summer months and for regular trips “TaDa” Dump.

Marion may not have made her career in education, but she was a true teacher all of her life!! She worked to instill her love of reading and her love of books in the hearts of all the young people in the family. Additionally, she could be found teaching a variety of skills to her nieces & nephews. Whether this meant teaching them to ski or to swim or to drive or teaching them to handle a sailboat, she was a profound believer in learning and she knew that people learn better when they’re having fun!

Marion applied the principle of never stop learning to her own life in a very hands-on way. Her sister Carlene purchased a camp on the shores of Little Squam Lake in 1965. The “girls” decided that the “Camp” could use some renovating, and Marion was the chief carpenter in this process. Many vacations and long weekends were spent on these renovations and the end result was truly beautiful! Many people would have been daunted by this task. Not Marion! This was a great opportunity to learn some new skills and create an even more beautiful space for the whole family to enjoy!

Marion took great pride in her family!! She believed in the value of hard work and the pursuit of an education, and she could often be heard telling her nieces and nephews to, “never stop reading and never stop learning!”

Marion, known as “Auntie Marion” to many generations of the Crowley family, was a truly wonderful aunt! She went out of her way to expose her nieces and nephews to new experiences and new opportunities. She was always there to offer assistance if needed but had the unique ability to sit back and observe without offering an opinion, (unless asked) and afforded everyone the freedom to make their own decisions and therefore their own mistakes without judgment. She used to tell people that, “Everyone has an opinion and not everyone needs to hear it! Some things are best kept to yourself!”

Marion had a quick wit coupled with a terrific sense of humor and a very generous spirit. In the course of her life she touched and influenced the lives of many and will be greatly missed!

Marion and Carlene moved back to NH in 2019 and made their home at the Taylor Community in Laconia. Marion was a resident at Taylor at the time of her passing.

Marion’s family would like to take a moment to extend our sincere thanks to the staff at the Taylor Community for all they’ve done for Marion. She received outstanding care delivered by a group of caring and compassionate professionals. Most importantly she found herself surrounded by a new group of friends and a

second family during her time at Taylor. We are grateful to you all for your time talent and genuine caring.

Marion is pre-deceased by her parents Grace (Dawson) and Carl Crowley, her two brothers James (Jim) Crowley, and Richard (Dick) Crowley and her three sisters R. Carlene Crowley, Joan G. Conway and Kay C. Mudgett.

Marion is survived by her nieces and nephews; Lynn (Conway) Kover, Cheryl (Conway) Manigault, Bryan Conway and his wife Renee, Jill (Mudgett) White and her husband J.O., Jeff Mudgett and his wife Tara; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.

The Dupuis Funeral Home in Ashland is assisting the family with arrangements. A celebration of life will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, May 16, 2025, at The Common Man Inn, located at 231 Main St., Plymouth, NH 03264.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Marion’s memory may be made to the Taylor Community Sunshine Fund, 435 Union Ave Laconia NH 03246.