Mrs. Grace Ruth Crawley passed away on Nov. 6, 2023, at Shore Health and Rehabilitation Center in Parksley.
She was born in Babylon, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 1925, the daughter of the late Edith R. (Hinman) and Robert C. Dunlop. She grew up in Babylon and graduated from Babylon High School.
After graduation she attended Katharine Gibbs secretarial school. This led to her first job on 5th Avenue in New York City, where she also did some modeling.
Grace next worked as an executive secretary at Republic Aviation in Farmingdale, N.Y. She told of getting up early in the morning to exercise horses at the racetrack before going to work. Grace rode her horse, O’Boy, in shows and fox hunts on Long Island.
It was at Republic that she met the love of her life, Matthew J. Crawley. They were married on Nov. 13, 1955. Matt and Grace loved to travel and attend shows in New York City. They loved animals and had many special dogs and cats, and a horse named Christopher. Matt passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 8, 1982.
As a legal secretary, Grace became a founding member and executive director of the Suffolk County Chapter of the NY Civil Liberties Union, and in 2006, she was presented with the NYCLU Equality Award.
When she retired in 1990, she moved from her lifelong home in Babylon to Belle Haven with her mother, brother, and sister-in-law. While she continued her commitment to humanitarian causes, she was also caregiver to her mother. This led to her becoming a dedicated and valuable volunteer with Hospice of the Eastern Shore. She was the volunteer coordinator for over 12 years.
Many people benefited from Grace’s compassion and care. She rescued many animals and either adopted or found homes for them. She was an avid reader and letter-writer, with interests in current events, history, poetry, gardening, horses, and fashion.
Grace was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Matt; her brother, Robert F. Dunlop; and her sister-in-law, Margaret (Peggy) Dunlop.
She is survived by her nephew Robert P. (Lynn) Dunlop, of Babylon; and her nieces, Laurie D. (Lauren) Johnson, of Norwich, N.Y. and Nancy Dunlop (Stephen) Gilhooley, of Delmar, N.Y.; seven grand- and great-grandnieces and nephews; a cousin, Lenore Roberts, of Georgia; a very special friend, Mary Wazlak, of Belle Haven; and her beloved cats, Mulberry and Timmy.
To honor her wishes, no public service will be held.
Memorial donations in Grace’s name may be sent to Eastern Shore SPCA, P.O. Box 164, Onley, VA 23418, www.shorespca.com
Arrangements are by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
