Rosemary Persip Crawford, 94
Rosemary Persip Crawford, 94, of Dalton, died Saturday, December 9, 2023, at her home.
Born in Pittsfield on December 18, 1928, the daughter of Alfred K. Persip, Sr., and Augusta Mae Price Persip, she attended Pittsfield schools and was a 1947 graduate of Pittsfield High School. Continuing her education, she took classes at Berkshire Community College and went on to obtain certification as Operating Room Surgical Technician.
She was a surgical technician at the former St. Luke's Hospital which later merged with Pittsfield General Hospital to become Berkshire Medical Center. When St, Luke's closed, she worked several years at Hillcrest Hospital in various positions.
Rosemary was a life-long and dedicated member of First Baptist Church where she served as Church Clerk for more than twenty years, Deacon, Staff Assistant, Usher, and was in the church choir for many years. She was in the Church's Women's League, a member of the Anna Fleet Chapter, served on the Missionary Board, the Pastoral Relations Board, participated in and directed some of the Churches fundraising Dinner Theaters, and was a member and then chair of the Memorial Historical Committee. As such, she worked tirelessly on the church's 250th Anniversary Committee and celebration held in 2022.
Rosemary also took classes and became a lay minister, assisting when necessary and filled in on some Sundays to preach.
Her dedication continued beyond the local church as she was also active with the Berkshire Baptist Women, The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, Pittsfield Area Council of Congregations, and very active with Church Women United, attending many state conventions.
Beyond the church, she helped coordinate some of her high school class reunion events and was actively involved with the Retired Senior Volunteer Programs of Pittsfield (RSVP), serving on the board of directors and for many years, active in running the RSVP visitor's center in downtown Pittsfield at various locations. In 2008, Rosemary and her late husband, Ike, were named the Retired Senior Volunteer Programs Volunteers of the Year.
An enthusiastic baker, making cookies, cakes, and pies for the family throughout the year, ended up as a side business making and decorating wedding cakes for coworkers, friends and family, as well as providing pies to various people during the holidays. When the family had a catering business, besides pies and cakes, she made various hors d'oeuvres for weddings, birthday parties and large events.
She was also a long-time member of the American Legion Auxiliary of the Charles A, Persip Post 68 in Pittsfield, MA.
Her husband of 70 years, Isaac ("Ike") Crawford, Jr., whom she married August 24, 1947, died August 27, 2017.
She is survived by her sister, Eleanor M. Persip, of Pittsfield; children, Rosemary Crawford-Smith of Nashua, N.H; Isaac A. Crawford and wife (Marietta) of Bloomfield, CT.; four grandchildren, Eric Wilder and wife (Beth), Richard, Vanessa, and Jillion; six great grandchildren, Joshua and wife (Ashleigh), Ashlee and husband (Tyler), Monet, Malia, Isaac and M'Alyk; and five great-great grandchildren, Nyara, Naseem, Mattilyn, Marleigh, Micah She was predeceased by her parents, and brothers, Richard A. Persip and Alfred K. Persip, Jr.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Rosemary Persip Crawford will be held Friday, December 15, at 11:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church with Rev. Sheila Sholes-Ross, Pastor, and Rev. Dr. Robert M. Rennie, officiating. The burial will be in Ashuelot Cemetery in Dalton. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions