Laurel Chamberlin Crowley

Laurel Chamberlin Crowley

Laurel Ruth Chamberlin Crowley passed away on November 16, 2015 in her home surrounded by her loving family. Laurie, as she preferred to be called, led a life devoted to love, service and compassion to friends and family. Born September 3, 1928 in Syracuse, New York, Laurie was the first of three children born to John Reading Chamberlin, Jr. and Ruth Hazel Doman of Elbridge, New York. She was a 1950 graduate of Syracuse University College of Fine Arts, earning her degree in music.

Musically gifted, Laurie played trumpet, piano and a number of other musical instruments. Her first employment was as a music teacher in the Union County, New Jersey public school system. Laurie married Noel Chase Crowley of Rhinebeck, New York on June 27, 1953 in the Elbridge Community Church. The couple lived first in Rhinebeck and then in Charlottesville, Virginia, until her husband, with the support she provided through various employments, graduated from the University of Virginia Law School. Laurie and Noel are the parents of five children, Michael Chase, Stephen John, Lynn Stratton (died at birth), Scott Gregory and Thomas Munro. Laurie and Noel lived variously in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York; Syosset, New York; Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; and for the past 32 years, Mendham, New Jersey. For several years she managed the law office her husband and their son Michael currently operate in Morristown. The Crowleys are members of long standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Laurie served with distinction in various church callings. While in Michigan she was president of the church's Relief Society, a women's service organization in which she oversaw the work of the organization's members in each of several congregations. Laurie pursued a lifelong interest in genealogy, devoting many years to the research of her family history. Later in life, she became an avid devotee of Dutch violinist and orchestra conductor André Rieu. She developed profound friendships with fellow Rieu fans, and with them, traveled to concerts throughout the United States and Europe. The family is grateful for the devoted care Laurie received at the end of her life from her granddaughter Erica.

Laurie is survived by her husband of 62 years, Noel Crowley, and sons Michael of Mendham, New Jersey; Stephen and his wife Kathryn of Houston, Texas; Scott and his wife Jeanene of Richmond, Virginia; and Thomas and his wife Mary of Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is also survived by brothers Albert Edward Chamberlin of Ambler, Pennsylvania, whose wife Joan passed away in 2010; and Frederick Carl Chamberlin and his wife Norma of Lansdale, Pennsylvania; 23 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Friday, November 20, 2015 between 6 and 8 p.m., at the William J. Leber Funeral Home, 15 Furnace Road, Chester, New Jersey 07930. A funeral service will be conducted at the Cedar Lake Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 283 James St., Morristown, New Jersey, on Saturday, November 21, 2015, commencing at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Hilltop Cemetery, Mendham, New Jersey.

For online condolences and an extended obituary please visit www.leberfuneralhome.com