Susan Elaine Crawford

Mystic - Susan Elaine Decosta Crawford, 66, of Mystic, passed peacefully Oct. 6, 2025, in her home, surrounded by family. Sue was born in New London to Raymond Joseph Decosta and Joan Mary Hutt Decosta.

After a childhood in the woodland neighborhoods of Gales Ferry, where her lifelong love of nature and beauty first took root, Susan studied art at Central Connecticut State University, where she received her Bachelor's in 1981. She later received a master's in education in 1986. But her real education was in living creatively and loving deeply.

In March of 1984, she met Robert Crawford, whom she married in 1986. Their early years together featured much travel in which they lived in Connecticut, New York City, Washington, D.C., Ontario, Canada, and Krefeld, Germany, where Susan gave birth to their first son, Scott Joseph Crawford, in 1987. They moved back to Connecticut thereafter, where Susan welcomed their sons into the world, Patrick Remi Crawford in 1990 and Tyler Robert Crawford in 1993. When Susan and her family settled in Mystic in 1998, she poured every ounce of her creativity into renovating their new home, a historic 1851 home on Pearl Street, turning what had fallen into disrepair into a place full of warmth, light, and love. It had long been Susan's dream, well before the rise of vacation rentals, to build a bed and breakfast and welcome people to the town she loved so dearly.

In 2002, she brought that dream to life, first establishing the Carriage House at 26 Pearl, and later opening the home where she raised her family, The Captain Morgan House, to guests as well. It was just Susan's nature to imbue her world with beauty, rich in artistry and comfort, and welcome everyone she met with warmth and joy. Her home became a refuge for all, from old childhood friends to wayward youth in need of love. Susan's spirit is forever fierce in lightness, humor, affection, loyalty, and support for those she loves to pursue their passion and live their truth.

Susan is survived by her sons, Scott, Patrick and Tyler (sp. Adriana Rouquayrol); her siblings Lori, Dawn and Raymond Joseph Jr.; and her beloved granddaughter Althaea, born in 2023, who brought her endless joy and pride in her final years, and a boundless circle of family and friends who will carry her love forward.

A funeral will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at St. Mark's in Mystic, followed by a private burial at Elm Grove Cemetery. Immediately after the funeral, the family welcomes those attending to a light reception at Susan's home at 26 Pearl St., in Mystic. The family will accept contributions to be made into a donation in her name toward advancement in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The Dinoto Funeral Home is assisting the family.