ELLEN “FRAN” CRAWFORD
Ballston Spa - Ellen Crawford, Fran, as she was known to friends and family, passed away peacefully with loving family by her side on August 16, 2021, from a brief and unexpected illness. Born in 1948 in Albany, NY, she was one of four girls born to William and Ellen Minkler. She was a graduate of Mercy High School. After high school she worked at Clarity Publishing Company, spent many years as a manager in the restaurant industry, then found her passion working as a Mary Kay Consultant.
Fran married the love of her life, Charles Crawford, in 1980. They spent many years living in Porter Corners, retiring later in Ballston Spa, NY. Fran was the most loving grandma a kid could hope for, and after retiring, she spent many days doing what she loved most, caring for her grandchildren. She always had a sparkle in her eye when talking about all the fun they would have together. She also enjoyed spending time with her sisters and friends, whether in person or on the phone. In addition, Fran was president pro tempore of the Matteson Historical Congress of America and spent many hours researching family genealogy. She would get excited whenever she found any new leads, and she loved to talk about them. She also looked forward to traveling with her husband, which included yearly drives to Indiana to see family and visits to numerous historical venues.
Fran was predeceased by her parents William and Ellen Minkler and her sister, Linda Kirker. She is survived by her loving husband, Chuck Crawford of Ballston Spa, their children, Sonya (Charley) Summersell of Ballston Spa, Renee (Glenn) Law of Saratoga Springs, Shawn Crawford of Greenfield, William Friskey of Halfmoon, Christopher Friskey of Plano, Texas, and Jennifer (Steve) Grogan of Troy, as well as her grandchildren Robert (Lauren) Pulsifer, Jr. of Gansevoort, Jordan (Amanda) Summersell of Buskirk, Elijah (Jennifer) Summersell of Charlton, Ryan Law (Alyssa Rielly) of Gansevoort, Brittany Law of Waterford, Ben Weber and Caleb Weber of Saratoga Springs, Sarah Friskey of Plano,Texas, Shane Crawford of Greenfield and her little buddy, Mason Friskey, of Queensbury; She will also be greatly missed by her sisters, Connie Minkler of Bellevue, Nebraska and Mary Youngs (Mike Barbieri) of Scotia, as well as two of her grandsons’ moms- Kristin Chlopecki of Queensbury and Lisa Mahoney-Crawford of Porter Corners. Finally, she will be missed by six great grandchildren and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Her family would like to thank the ICU nurses at Saratoga Hospital for their care during Fran’s final days.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 9-11am on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY (518-584-5373).
A mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 167 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa, NY at 11:30am.
Entombment will follow at 1:30pm at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY.
Donations in Fran’s name may be made to The City Mission of Schenectady.
Online remembrances may be made at www.
burkefuneralhome.com.