Jan Patricia CROWLE

CROWLE, Jan Patricia

Our mother, Jan Patricia Crowle (nee Merrell), passed away early in the morning on August 8, 2016. On any other morning she would be following what has happening in markets around the world, busy with her trading, which she loved and excelled at.
  Raised in Toronto, she attended St. Joseph's Convent School. Her fellow graduates of the Class of '51 have been so kind and loving to her, and supportive to us. As a single mother, she raised three daughters while working full-time, and completing both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
  After we - her children, Mary, Susan, and Jane - were on our way, she met and married Frank Crowle. Their love of sailing had them purchase a gorgeous property in Prince Edward County overlooking the Bay of Quinte. When not travelling to Europe, Russia or China, weekends and holidays were spent at 'the farm.' Besides sailing, she loved driving her convertible with the top down too fast along the county roads.
  After she retired as an executive in Social Services with City of Toronto, they moved permanently to the farm. Her boundless energy and entrepreneurial spirit lead her to open Crowle's Craft Barn & Antiques. She was very active locally, helped with the Quinte Summer Music Festival, and even ran for office in a community where a newcomer was someone whose family had arrived 200 years earlier, not 15.
  When Frank's health declined, they returned to the city, settling in Markland Woods to be close to the adored grandkids (Melissa, Matthew, Jacob, Jeremy, Joseph, Alexis, Madeleine and Katie). Retiring was not something mom could do. In between a busy social life, she continued her own businesses (early eBay merchant, real estate), was President of the local Probus Group, was active in the Church community and was a co-editor of the Class of '51 Newsletter. Winters were spent in Florida. After Frank's death, she purchased a home in Sarasota and became part of the Serenade community. The lines have been busy with calls of love from the Florida friends.
  Our mother was a force of nature. She was passionate, phenomenally bright, savvy and tenacious. She loved her family, friends, good food, wine, opera and the business news. To those who didn't quite see the logic of her ways (friends and family are laughing), she could be difficult, but it came from a belief she knew better. In her way, she was saving you time by telling you how it should be done or what you should do.
  We would like to send special thanks to the UHN PalliativeTeam, especially Elizabeth and Father Frank Carpinelli, Father Antonio Curto, JoAnne, Norma and the Class of '51.
We, Mary (Ralph), Susan (Avi) and Jane (Jaye) invite you to the celebration mass of our mother's life at St. Leo's Church Mimico on Friday, August 12, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow.
  In lieu of flowers, mom requested that, donations go to Sleeping Children Around the World (www.scaw.org).
  Godspeed, mom. May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face.
  Much love,
Mary, Susan and Jane