Louise D. Crawford

Peterborough, NH Louise D. Crawford, 88, died at RiverMead Retirement Community in Peterborough on December 11, 2015 after a period of failing health. Louise was born on July 13, 1927 in Grand Junction, Colorado, the daughter of Louis Scott Deitz and Emily Clarke Deitz. Louise grew up and attended schools in Metuchen and Westfield, New Jersey, after which she took a degree in philosophy at Smith College in 1949. She then taught English for two years at Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey, followed by a year in Paris, before returning to the United States in 1952. She earned her Master's degree in teaching English as a Second Language from Teacher's College at Columbia University, and subsequently taught at Columbia University and Hunter College. In 1979 she married Peter Crawford. Louise and Peter lived in New York City and traveled and enjoyed the arts together. They explored the inland waterways of France and England in small canal boats, and also travelled throughout Scotland, Turkey and Mexico. Louise was an active volunteer at the American Museum of Natural History, an enthusiastic member of Origami USA, and on the Board of Governors for the National Arts Club in New York City. She was a talented watercolor painter, and enjoyed playing the piano. Louise had two children from her previous marriage to Thomas Gilroy. Louise is survived by her loving husband, Peter Crawford, her son Jamie Gilroy of Paris, France, her daughter Catherine Eby, as well as her daughter's family - husband Richard and their son Cole, of Francestown, New Hampshire. She was predeceased by her sister Helen Pratt of Durham, North Carolina. A funeral service will be held on a date to be determined in January at the Community Church of Francestown, 18 Main Street, Francestown, New Hampshire. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Louise's name to the National Arts Club at 15 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY 10003.

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