Carol Cermak Crowe

Carol Ann Stricker was born on August 1, 1939 in Baltimore, Maryland to Irvin and Angela Stricker. She had a wonderful childhood in Arbutus with her four sisters, and fondly remembered the big parties and picnics in her parents’ backyard, and time spent at her grandparents’ house.

Sadly, a devastating house fire took her parents and baby sister at an early age, and Carol and her three sisters were raised by their devoted Aunt Sylvia and her husband Norman. She and her sisters all attended the Institute of Notre Dame. Carol continued her studies to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry, with a minor in Secondary Education from Notre Dame of Maryland University.

She met her future husband, James Cermak at a Cayhill’s local sock hop. They were wed on August 5, 1961.

Her budding career as a chemistry teacher was cut short by the birth of their first child, Dawn, in 1962. She seamlessly shifted gears into motherhood, which turned out to be her true calling. This was a good thing because the kids kept coming … and, quite frankly, she did not actually like being a chemistry teacher!

In 1966, Jim got a job offer in Pittsburgh, so they pulled up stakes and headed to Steeltown. Mothering six children kept Carol quite busy, but she still found time to pursue her interests and hobbies, and dive into new ones! Ceramic doll painting, needlepointing, rock collecting, gardening, making bagels from scratch, cake decorating…the list goes on and on. She baked cookies, sweets, and her famous Orange Bread during the holidays. Her kitchen was often overwhelmed and overflowing with cookie tins. She was a talented seamstress, making her children’s bathing suits, wool winter coats and Halloween costumes. One year, her six Alice in Wonderland costumes plus Jim’s handcrafted float won the family first prize in the town’s Halloween parade.

And then there was her painting. Carol started taking classes and painting with acrylic in the 1970s. She would take breaks periodically over the years, but she always came back to painting. Most recently she began painting with watercolors, spending hours watching YouTube tutorials and refining her technique.

Carol trained and worked as both an EMT and as a counselor for a suicide hotline. She also sang Soprano in many choirs and found fulfillment in all.

In 1980, Carol, Jim and their gang headed back to Maryland. In 1993, devastated by Jim’s sudden death, Carol sold their family home in Gaithersburg and headed up to Baltimore to try out city living! Over the next 10 years, she globetrotted with her sisters, worked as a “Shop Girl” at a local boutique, got herself a Yorkie… and met John Crowe on a blind date. Carol and John were married in Barbados in 2003, surrounded by their combined nine children. They were both passionate about golf, travel, snowbirding to escape the dreary Maryland winters… and their families.

Most recently, Carol resided at Ginger Cove, a retirement community in Annapolis. Despite losing her husband John in 2025 she enjoyed her time there making friends and staying active, especially her position as the Imperial Wicket on the croquet team! She was also known for being the founder of the “Surprise Table” and even had a solo in one of her recent choir concerts.

Carol’s zest and zeal for life was undeniable, and her enthusiasm was contagious. She embraced every new adventure, opportunity, and moment with open arms, bringing joy, energy, and a sense of fun to everyone around her. Above all, her greatest pride and happiness was her family. Being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was her life’s greatest purpose, and she was, without question, the heart and soul of her family! Anyone who was lucky enough to be in her orbit could see and feel it—it was radiant. That love is the legacy she leaves with us all.

So many were fortunate enough to share in Carol’s remarkable life. She is survived by her sisters, Claudia Krizek (Ray), her twin sister Camille Appel (Lee), and Cynthia McCabe (Jim); her six children, Dawn Cermak (Tony), Erin Cermak, Gail Gloyd (Steve), Renee Cermak (Fred), Robin Cermak, and Jamie Cermak (Beth); and her thirteen grandchildren, Cory, Nicholas, Lucy, Mayzie, Enzo, Otto, Katmandu, Easton, Ellis, Avery, Penelope, Quincy, and Crosby. She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Zoe and Rose.

Carol’s family also includes her three stepdaughters, Natalie Semon, Heather Earhart (Todd), and Alex Lee (Kip); seven bonus grandchildren, Calvin, Campbell, Liam, Noah, Talley, Aggie, and Anderson; and countless nieces and nephews.

Those who would like to join the family in prayer are warmly invited to attend the funeral mass to be held on Wednesday, October 21 at 4:00pm, followed by a Celebration of Life from 5:30pm-8:00pm. Carrying on the family tradition of big backyard celebrations, both events will take place at her daughter Erin’s residence: 20200 New Hampshire Ave, Brinklow, MD 20862. Carol’s burial will be private.

Please RSVP: https://forms.gle/5ftHxFGR8d9N1kqD7

If you would like to send flowers, we encourage you to order from The Clarksville Flower Station by clicking on this special link for Carol: https://carolcollectionmemorial.com/

Flowers should be sent to 20200 New Hampshire Avenue, Brinklow, MD 20862.

In lieu of/in addition to flowers you are welcome to bring a platter of cookies, bars, or pastries for "Carol’s Sweet Shop". Please be sure to label what you made and who made them.