CRAWFORD, ALTA L. - It is with profound sadness that the family of Alta L. Crawford announces her passing at The Moncton Hospital on Thursday morning, November 8, 2012. Full of life and enthusiasm for the things she loved, Alta was born in Rockport, New Brunswick; moved to Moncton where she met her future husband, Wes, and transferred with him to Saint John where their family was born and raised. Returning to Moncton in 1985, Alta made many friends who shared her passion for music. Despite health challenges, she remained positive and engaging; a quality admired by her family and friends. Alta’s interests were many and varied. Early in her married life she enjoyed curling; golfing; fishing and watching baseball games with Wes in Boston and New York. She loved playing bridge; sewing; knitting and rug hooking, but tried her hand at many different crafts. Alta had a life long interest in painting and sketching; mostly ships and seascapes. As well, she loved to redecorate the rooms of her home, painting and then sewing the coordinating drapes, bedspreads and accessories. In Saint John she was an active youth group leader and member of the United Church Women. Alta was a lifetime member of the New Brunswick Telephone Pioneers. Along with her family, she spent weekends camping and travelling throughout the Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario, Eastern USA and in later years, she took a cross-country bus tour. Health issues prevented her from taking a planned European vacation but she thoroughly enjoyed visiting Nashville and Florida with her musical friends. Alta was a lover of all types of music, but after returning to Moncton in 1985 she spent her time almost exclusively playing old time fiddle music. She joined the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers and the Cherryfield Fiddlers and made many wonderful music friends with whom she travelled and enjoyed kitchen parties and bluegrass festivals and events. With her friends she played music for seniors at their residences and nursing homes and for a number of years she played for dances in Sackville, with a band of local musicians, including her sister. Alta is survived by her loving family; son, Robert (Anternetta) of New Haven, PEI and daughter, Susan Fowler (late Ian) of Moncton. She was the proud and loving grandmother of Jennifer (Dave Lefebvre) of Ottawa, ON, John Crawford of New Haven, PEI, Amy Fowler (Corbin Bouree) of Vancouver, BC and Laura Fowler of Fredericton. Predeceased by her parents, Steven (1973) and Alleda (1969) Ward; brothers, infant (1924) and Steven Clark Jr. (1938) and her sister, Esther (2006); as well as her husband, J. Wesley Crawford in 1983.
Visitation at Ferguson Knowles Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton (858-1995) on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Funeral Service at Ferguson Knowles Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, November 10, 2012, at 10:00 am with The Rev. Dr. Beverly Daley officiating. Reception in the Funeral Home Reception Centre following the service. Interment, Sackville Cemetery. In Alta’s memory, donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Friends of The Moncton Hospital would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences at www.fergusonknowlesfh.com