Elizabeth C. Crowling

1922 - 2014

Elizabeth C. Crowling

Norfolk - Elizabeth Crozier Crowling passed from this life on Monday, September 1, 2014. She was born at her family home of Glenrock in Princess Anne County on April 14, 1922.

She was the seventh of eight children born to the late George W. and Catherine Holloway Crowling. She was predeceased by her sisters Mary Roseberry, Cleophia Caffee, Margaret Mulqueen, and Katherine Messina, her brothers George G. Crowling, John Francis ("Bub") Crowling, James J. Crowling, and two special nieces Mary Eunice Kraemer and Dorothy Edwards. She is survived by nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews too numerous to name.

Liz was a strong woman who refused to be restrained by the traditional roles of her day. She was a gifted athlete, and was particularly proud of her accomplishments on the basketball team at Kempsville High School. She entered the workforce at Virginia Electric and Power Company as a meter tester in the 1940s, when many men were called to fight abroad.

After World War II, Liz was determined to further her education. While working at Catholic Family and Children's Service, she attended night school at the Norfolk College of William and Mary to achieve a Bachelor of Arts. Liz later followed up on a dream and earned her Masters in Social Work from Richmond Professional Institute.

For 44 years, Liz was employed at what is now called Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia. For 22 years, she served as the Executive Director, one of the only females to hold the position at the time. She merged the Peninsula Bureau of Catholic Charities, Portsmouth Catholic Family Service, and Catholic Family and Children's Service to form Catholic Charities of Hampton Roads. She was a champion of Child Welfare and Adoption. While her achievements at Catholic Charities are too numerous to list, upon her retirement she was honored by Saint John Paul II with the Benemerenti Certificate and Medal, an honor awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity for service to the Catholic Church.

Liz was a member of the Board of Directors of the Russell House, Marion Manor, and Lake Taylor Hospital.

Her family would like to thank the staff of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, MediHome Hospice, and the many caregivers who ministered to Liz, especially Enna and Paula Jo.

A Catholic Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at noon on Friday, September 5, 2014 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia at 5361-A Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.hdoliver.com.

Lizzie will be especially missed by her nieces Margie Robertson and Mary Oliver.