Crandall DeLong, Verna, 93, Presque Isle; in Houlton, August 1, 2009.
PRESQUE ISLE – Verna DeLong Crandall, 93, passed away August 1, 2009, at a Houlton Health Care Facility. She was born November 6, 1915, in Presque Isle, the daughter of Perley and Lillian Flewelling Deane and was raised on a farm in Easton.
Education was of the utmost importance to Verna. With her horse, “Jack”, hauling her sleigh, she drove to a one-room schoolhouse five miles from her homestead, picking up other children along the way. She graduated valedictorian from high school at the age of 14 and graduated from Aroostook Normal School for teaching, and later, the University of Maine. The teaching profession was her pride and joy and taught for 33 years in Presque Isle, as well as 2 years in Trenton, Maine. She was an active member of the Parent Teacher Association, Presque Isle Teaching Association, Maine Teachers Association, National Education Association and the Retired Aroostook Teachers Association. Throughout her many years of teaching, she served as a coordinating teacher through the University of Maine for many student teachers. She was a long time member of the Presque Isle Country Club, the Congregational Church, as well as a member in the restoration efforts of her childhood church in Easton.
During her leisure time, she enjoyed reading, gardening, birdwatching, crocheting, sewing country dolls, patchwork quilts and knitting mittens, hats, scarves and elaborate afghans for family members and friends. She relished her time playing bridge and an occasional game of golf with her dear friends. Many chuckles were shared and cherished over 30 years of summer “getaways” to Quebec, New Brunswick, and various parts of Maine, with her grand-daughter, Lee-Rae and daughter, Carol. She will be remembered for her interest in current events, sense of humor, instant laughter, inner pride, listening to a “good story”, showing her many acts of kindness, and displaying her love for her special cats, Fluffy and Cutie.
She was predeceased by her husbands, Walter Osgood, Donald H. DeLong, and Horace Crandall; sister, Carol D. Stewart; and niece, Deborah S. Stewart. She is survived by her son, Donald H. DeLong, II and wife, Claudette of Newton, NJ; granddaughters, Lara DeLong of Brooklyn, NY and Audrey DeLong of Blue Point, NY; daughter, Carol and husband Philip K. Jordan of Houlton; granddaughter, Lee-Rae and husband Matthew O. Oliver, great-grandchildren, Walker, Anna and Wyatt of Hodgdon; brother-in-law, Harold L. Stewart, nephew, Harold L. Stewart, II and wife, Melanie and great-nephews, Trey and Grant and grand-niece, Meredith of Presque Isle; stepson, William Crandall and wife, Patricia of Easton; and sister-in-law, Ruth D. Green of Lunenburg, MA.
Per her request, a private ceremony for family members will be held in Presque Isle with Rev. Dr. Robert Grove Markwood officiating. In lieu of flowers and gifts, her wish was for family and friends “to remember the many good times,” and “to live each day to the fullest”.
