On Friday, January 6, 2023, Christine Elaine Crowder, beloved mother, grandmother (LaLa), sister, and aunt passed away at age 73. An avid reader and lifelong student, Christine graduated from Monmouth College, now Monmouth University with a Masters in Anthropology in 1979.
Christine resided in Long Branch and was a longtime Public Library employee. Active in the community she was a member of the Historical Society and throughout the years volunteered for several organizations including, Clean Ocean Action. An imaginative and creative writer, she wrote countless short stories. She was particularly fond of crime dramas and hoped to someday publish a series.
A descendant of a long line of talented pianist, a piano teacher in her own right, she taught many children throughout the years, passing on her love of music. She was known for her optimistic personality, her love of family gatherings, and her famous quote “When I win the lottery.”
She is remembered for her creative excursions with her daughter, nieces, and nephews, including gravestone rubbing, paper mache projects, and would often say to them, “I hope you enjoyed your childhood as much as I did.”
Christine is predeceased by her mother Doris O’Sullivan and father Wendell Crowder, niece Pala Crowder and her nephew Israel Henderson. She is survived by her sister Kathleen Crowder; her brother Casey Crowder; her daughter, Caitlin Crowder-Kirsch; grandchildren, Christian, Jason, and Harper and a host of nieces and nephews.
A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2023 from 2 pm until the time of the service at 3:30 pm at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Avenue, Long Branch. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Long Branch Free Public Library, 328 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740, https://www.longbranchlib.org/donations. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.