Carol W. Crosby

months of age-related illness.

Born in Worcester in 1927 to Harry and Francis Wilson, she grew up as “an only child”. She graduated from Clark University, and later returned to Clark to earn a master’s degree in education. For years she taught in the public schools in Worcester.

She loved her working years, her train travels across Europe as a single woman in the 50’s,

and driving a Nash Rambler across the country, and deserting the car in Mexico. At the age of

33, she married Henry Edward Manning and they had two children, Cynthia and Peter, Irish

twins. Sadly, Henry died of cancer in 1962, leaving Carol with two toddlers Devastated by

this loss, Carol was determined to provide a good life for her young family. Five years

later she met “Jack” , John B. Crosby, on a visit to Cape Cod. He was divorced with three

older kids and living in Cummaquid. They fell in love, and were married in 1969 at St. Mary’s

Church in Barnstable. The Manning family piled into the Ford Falcon wagon, red with faux

wood siding, and moved to Cape Cod. It was Carol’s serendipitous and abundant fortune

to suddenly inherit a much larger family.

Jack and Carol were devoted to one another. Together they cherished their life and friends in

Barnstable, dinners at Hyannisport Golf Club, memorable trips to the Caribbean, Italy, and

Queechee, Vermont. They were immensely proud of all 5 kids and the paths that unfolded as

they grew and left Cape Cod, and moved forward with their lives and families. Their strength,

hope and belief in us is the most treasured gift we will ever know.

Carol made friends everywhere she went, at the Barnstable Yacht Club, Hyannisport Golf

Club, her knitting groups. She loved to browse and shop on Rte 6A (and she was very good

at it), visiting local jewelers, clothing boutiques, yarn stores, restaurants, and book stores.

She was also a master cook, curating hors d’oeuvres and delicious meals every day of the

week, for her always-anticipating-the-next- meal husband who after 10 year of marriage, she

referred to as “Crosby”. They truly enjoyed the company of one another. Jack died of cancer

in 2004. Jack lovingly referred to Carol, as “The Wind Beneath my Wings” and to himself as

“Dear Heart”.

In her later life, Carol’s hands were always busy. Knitting, felting, needlepointing, rug

hooking, scarves with fringes or ruffles, crazy hats, knitted mermaids and doll blankets.

Baskets of yarn in every room and bundles of needles in every bureau, Carol was passionate

about knitting. In 2014 she was given an Ipad, and swiftly took up texting on Facebook

messenger at all hours. At the time of her passing, she had just finished The Daughters of

Yalta, and had gone to the Brewster Bookstore, plotting her next reading adventure. There

were more scarves and crazy hats to be knitted. She was overwhelmed with excitement that

Peter’s kids and grandkids came to visit this past Holiday. She kept learning and loving to the

very end. Despite illness and setbacks, Carol was full of spark. Anyone who knew Carol will

remember how much she loved to share a good laugh.

Carol lost her beloved son Peter Henry Crosby to cancer in 2020. She is survived by her

children and their partners, John and Betsy Crosby, Nancy Crosby Poland and Bob Engel, Sharon Crosby

and Jim Pratt, Cynthia Crosby and Mark Medaugh, and Jeanne Crosby, and 12 grandchildren, Jay Crosby, Alyssa Poland daFonseca, Sarah Poland, Liz Poland, Andrew Pratt, Jeffrey Pratt, Isaiah Medaugh, Ava Medaugh, Jennifer Crosby Kyed, Jessica Crosby Bottoms, Brian Crosby, Aidan Crosby, and 9 great grandchildren. Granddaughter Amanda Crosby preceded her in death in 2002. In recent years, she was blessed with the companionship of her caregiver, Linda Leonard, and the compassionate care of her physician, Dr. Theodor Herwig.

Carol loved her ride on this earth. To anyone in a difficult place, it was her calling to reach out

and offer encouragement. Carol set an example of deep courage and grace, and she will be

forever missed. As a tribute to Carol, we ask that you think deeply about people living with

advanced age or illness, and offer them an act of friendship: a drive around town, stop by for

a visit, a check in phone call, a short walk, a hand written note. It’s the small things that

matter. Remember those that come before you, gather their stories, show them

your heart. Love like Carol.