Mary Crowson

Mary Jesus Crowson, nee Fernandes, died on Thursday, November 10, 2022. Mary was born in Danbury Connecticut, December 13, 1941; the first child of six. Her parents were proud Portuguese immigrants. Her mother, Mary Fernandes, nee Santos was from Madeira, and her father, João Fernandes was from Porto. Mary's parents moved shortly after she was born to Bridgewater, Massachusetts, where she grew up. She helped raise her five younger siblings, allowing her mom and dad to work fulltime.

When Mary graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1959, she enlisted in the Air Force, and was stationed at Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio, Texas. While at Lackland Air Force base, she met the love of her life, Utah C. Crowson. They were married shortly thereafter, and eventually had two children.

Mary traveled the United States, while her husband took different duty assignments during his 20 plus year career. He retired to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where Mary continued to work for civil service. She also continued her service in the Air Force Reserves, retiring as a Master Sergeant.

Mary was an enthusiastic player of games. She loved Scrabble, Poker, Michigan Rummy, and Scribbage. Mary was a passionate Volksmarcher,and traveled to many Volksmarches. She also loved line dancing.

A lifelong learner, Mary later in life went to night school and proudly earned her master’s degree from Troy State University.

She was proceeded in death by three of her siblings, and her husband, Utah Crowson. She is survived by two sisters, two children, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at Davis Watkins Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, beginning at 1:00 p.m.