Nancy Crawford Hajek

Nancy Crawford Hajek was born in Hartford, CT on December 24, 1933, the daughter of Arnold John Crawford from Blackville, New Brunswick, Canada; and Ella Frosch Crawford of Hartford, CT. She graduated from Bulkeley High School in Hartford in 1951. She married Albert Joseph Hajek of East Hartford, CT on September 10,1955, and moved to East Hartford. She joined the Burnside United Methodist Church after her marriage, having been raised in the South Congregational Church in Hartford. Her love of the Lord and His church led her to serve on most committees of the local church as well as many on the District and Conference levels.

One of her greatest achievements in life was graduating in 1977 with honors from the University of Hartford with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She served as President of the East Hartford Woman’s Club as well as on many of the Club’s committees. She was associated with the Plowshares Institute from its inception in 1982, first as Administrative Director and then as a member of the Board of Directors. Under the auspices of Plowshares Institute, she visited many countries including China, Australia, Fiji, India, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Tanzania and Liberia. Her love of travel accelerated after her husband’s retirement in 1991. Each year thereafter, they spent a minimum of three weeks traveling around the world in addition to trips in this country.

In 1968, Nancy and her husband purchased an old house at Lake Sunapee, NH which had been part of the famous Granliden Hotel. After a year of hard work renovating and winterizing the house, they began to enjoy the wonderful location, and throughout the years, opened their home to hundreds of friends and family, extending to three generations. The house was sold in 2012 after her husband, Al, passed.

Nancy leaves her sister-in-law Nancy Hajek of Palm Desert, CA; a niece Sue-Anne Norrick and her husband Brad and their daughters Elizabeth and Christine; a nephew, Richard Hajek of Palm Springs, CA; and a nephew, Peter Hajek and his wife Glenna of Dallas, TX and their sons Eric and Andrew and spouses. She also leaves her dear friend, Rev. Henry Millan, who was a loving companion and comfort to her in her final years.

A memorial service celebrating Nancy’s life will be held Friday, October 30th at 11:00 AM at Covenant Living in Cromwell, 101 West St.  Cromwell, CT. 06416. Her ashes will be placed at her grave at Silver Lane Cemetery and strewn over her beloved Lake Sunapee.

Memorial gifts may be made to the New Covenant United Methodist Church; the United Methodist Elder Care, East Providence, RI; or the Albert J and Nancy C. Hajek Scholarship fund of the University of Hartford.