Esther (Fitch) Crandall
Lieu de naissance : Moncton, Nouveau Brunswick, Canada
Lieu de décès : Saint John, Nouveau Brunswick, Canada
Date de décès : 24 août 2011
The family of Esther Elizabeth (nee Fitch) Crandall of Saint John, N.B., is saddened to announce her passing on Aug. 24, 2011 at Rocmaura Nursing Home, Saint John.
Esther was born in Moncton, N.B. on Jan. 2, 1922, to the late Susan Isabel (Hull) Fitch, a contralto soloist in her own right, and the late William Albro Fitch, who was head of the Canadian National Railway operations in Atlantic Canada from Sydney, N.S. to Riviere du Loup, Que., at the time of his retirement.
She was predeceased by twin brothers, Dr. Ralph H. Fitch, a pediatrician, and Clyde J. Fitch, a chartered accountant.
Left to mourn her are four children, Susan (David Wright) Crandall of Halifax, N.S., Scott (Bronwyn) Crandall of Long Reach, N.B., Brett (Linda) Crandall of Maple Ridge, B.C. and Clyde Crandall of Saint John, N.B.; grandchildren, Judson, Caleb and Wren Crandall; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and friends.
She was very active in music in her earlier years, and was a former member of the Imperial Order of Daughters of the Empire (IODE) HMCS Hood Chapter, and of the Media Club of Canada, having been national president for five years. She was a member, most recently, of Cornerstone Baptist Church, and was formerly married to Lloyd W. Crandall.
She wrote children’s stories including one book for Saint John’s 200th anniversary, and several poems published in various markets and anthologies. She began working full-time as a self-employed journalist in 1972, covering New Brunswick, Quebec, Newfoundland and the State of Maine. She worked as a researcher, reporter, columnist and contributing editor for more than 30 markets in the U.S. and Canada, including the Toronto Globe and Mail for 12 years, the Toronto Star, the Financial Post, and Canadian Sailings. Esther also worked as a researcher, reporter, and commentator regionally and nationally for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. She was co-coordinator and instructor for 10 years in a 10-course journalism program offered part-time by the New Brunswick Community College.
Esther was the winner of the 1980 International Association of Firefighters competition, she was National President, Media Club of Canada, from 1979 to 1984 and became an honorary member of that club, and as well belonged to the Canadian Association of Journalists.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Rd., Saint John, N.B. A memorial service will be held at the Cornerstone Baptist Church 42 Leinster St., Saint John, on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception. Private family interment to take place at Willow Bank Cemetery, Wolfville, N.S. at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Esther’s memory can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. To send a message of condolence please visit www.fundyfuneralhome.com.
