Mary E. Crandall

Mary Elizabeth Crandall (age 81) of Annapolis, MD, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 18, 2024. Mary was born in Annapolis to Charles Robert Crandall and Mary Gray Crandall on February 7, 1943. A lifelong parishioner of St. Mary’s Parish, she attended St. Mary’s parish schools from elementary through high school. She served the Parish as a Eucharistic Minister and in later years as a substitute teacher. She enjoyed the frequent get-togethers with her St. Mary’s Alumni friends.

She earned her undergraduate degree from the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore and spoke highly of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. She travelled to Hawaii, earning her Masters in Education at the University of Hawaii. In Hawaii, she saw her first and only concert: Elvis Presley. Mary returned to the east coast, teaching in Florida for a year and then moved back to Spa Creek. She was a career teacher at Edgewater Elementary School, where she formed lifelong friendships with her fellow teachers. She was a dedicated educator and fondly remembered many of her students for their gifts and their personalities. Former students regularly greeted her with a “Hey, Miss Crandall!” when she was shopping at Grauls.

At an early age, Mary learned to love and respect the Chesapeake Bay while fishing with her father. She appreciated the beauty of Spa Creek, the Chesapeake Bay and Ocean City. When she learned that she could assist the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration project, Mary joined the volunteers by growing oysters off her dock.

Crabbing, fishing, bird watching and boating were joys Mary shared with friends and family. She taught her nieces and nephews how to dip a net to catch a crab on piling, how to bait a hook and how to be a responsible boater. She loved gathering with family for a crab feast, sharing the crabs she steamed in her big crab pots. She was a good listener, enjoyed a good laugh and had a kind word for everyone. The family grew as spouses, grandnieces and grandnephews came along, officially granting our wonderful Aunt Mary the official title of Great Aunt.

Mary was an avid sports fan. Her favorite teams were the Navy Midshipmen, the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens. She had many happy memories as a member of the Colts Corral. She enjoyed attending the games in person and watching them on TV with her friends and family. Mary supported the US Naval Academy and served as a sponsor to Midshipmen.

For the last two years of her life, Mary resided at BrightView Annapolis. Mary’s family is profoundly grateful for the attentive care Mary received from the exceptional BrightView Community. She inspired friendship, love and devotion in this community as she had throughout her life.

Her sister, Patricia, nicknamed Mary “Baby Snooks” when she was born. Many family members still call her by her nickname “Snookie” or “Snooks”. She was a great aunt, a supportive neighbor, a generous friend and a dog lover, ready with a Milk Bone for any pup who stopped by. Mary leaves her nieces and nephew, 16 grand nieces and nephews, 13 great-grand nieces and nephews and an abundance of friends. William D. (Jaye) Shaughnessy, Jr., Ann S. (Joseph) Boland, Susan S. (Joseph) Baglini, Mary T. (Bernard) Collins, Kathryn G. (Kevin) Rioux, Elisa M. (James) Nichols, Elizabeth M. Shaughnessy. Mary was preceded in death by her sister, Patricia M. (William) Shaughnessy and her niece, Patricia M. Shaughnessy, M.D.

A visitation for Mary will be held Friday, March 8, 2024 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 10:30 AM in Saint Mary's Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. Interment Saint Mary's Cemetery, 844 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Chesapeake Bay Foundation or Maryland SPCA.