Bernadette Crowe
Bernadette (Tracy) Crowe, 88 of Fairfield, CT, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2022, at her home. Bernadette was born in Champaign, IL, the 6th of 7 children of James and Martha Tracy. Bernadette graduated from Monticello (IL) High School and graduated from Holy Cross School of Nursing and St. Mary’s College in South Bend, IN.
Bernadette began her nursing career at St. Joseph’s Hospital in South Bend and worked as an RN at Mercy Hospital in Champaign. While working in South Bend, she met her future husband, Gerald Crowe, who was attending the University of Notre Dame. Bernadette and Gerry married in 1958 and remained in South Bend for the next 10 years, where their four children were born. They moved to Ft. Wayne, IN and eventually settled in Fairfield, CT.
After taking a hiatus to raise her children, Bernadette resumed her nursing career as a visiting nurse at the Visiting Nurses Association in Bridgeport, CT and eventually became a manager of the VNA’s Home Health Aide program, a position that she held until her retirement.
Following her husband’s death in 2002, Bernadette took a leadership role in supporting her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She maintained strong friendships with friends and neighbors of all ages. During retirement, Bernadette organized the St. Thomas Aquinas volunteer meals program for Operation Hope and was an avid gardener and reader. She was also a sports fan and ardent supporter of women’s athletics.
Bernadette is survived by her four children and their families, Ellen (Edward) Finnigan of Fairfield, CT, Andrew Crowe of Fairfield, CT, Kevin (Nina) Crowe of Sherman Oaks, CA and John (Sheila) Crowe of Weston, CT. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, Ashley Crowe, Matthew Crowe, Hanna Crowe, Katie Crowe, Mary Rose Finnigan, Brian Crowe, Luke Finnigan and Liam Crowe; her brother, Bill Tracy of Ivesdale, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will take place at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at St. Thomas Aquinas church, 1719 Post Road, Fairfield CT, with a burial in Illinois at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Spring Initiative, a nonprofit organization that assists students in the Mississippi Delta region ( https://www. spring-initiative.org ).