CROSBY, Elsie Vera – died in her sleep on December 27, 2011. Born in Waltham, England, she was the eldest daughter of the late Sidney and Nell (Markham) Blakeman. When it became mandatory to join the war effort, she enlisted in the R.A.F. and joined the No. Nine Bomber Group in Suffolk. While there, she met her husband-to-be, F/LT. Knowles “Bing” Crosby D.F.M., of Port Maitland. After thirty-seven trips over Europe, Knowles was transferred to the Special Cases Board in Ottawa, followed shortly after byElsie. After leaving the Air Force, they settled near Yarmouth and established Crosby’s Florist and Nurseries, which they ran successfully for over thirty years. Elsie was always very active in sports and played on the N.A.A.F. field hockey team. After her two children were school age, she joined the Curling and Golf Club. She held many offices in these sports. Locally, she was President and Secretary of the Ladies Golf Division, President and Match Chairman of the Ladies Curling Division and chaired two provincial championships. Provincially, she was President of the Nova Scotia Ladies Curling Association, member of the board of Sport Nova Scotia, member of the board of the Nova Scotia Curling Hall of Fame and Museum. Nationally, she was President of the Canadian Ladies Curling Association, Chairman of Curl Canada, member of the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame, Chairman of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee and inducted in the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame as a Builder. She was a card carrying coach and instructor, and was an original inductee in to the Yarmouth Town and County Sport Heritage Hall. She was a member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church for fifty-six years and a member of the choir for almost fifty years. She was a Regent (President) and Education Secretary of I.O.D.E. An ardent animal lover, she was a member of the S.P.C.A. for nearly thirty years. She is survived by son, Derek (Barbara), Centre Burlington; daughter, Debra, Halifax; sister, Nancie, England; brothers, Roy and Eric, both of England; Allan, Richmond Hill, Ont.; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by husband, Knowles. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Sweeny’s Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yarmouth. A memorial service took place Friday, December 30 at 11 a.m. from Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Father Doug Chard officiated. Interment will take place at a later date in Yarmouth Mountain Cemetery. Donations in memory may be made to the Yarmouth SPCA, Yarmouth Food Bank or to a charity of your choice. On-line condolences may be sent to: sweenysfh@eastlink.ca or you may sign the guestbook on-line at: www.sweenysfuneralhome.net