Beverly A. (LaPlante) Crawford

SCARBOROUGH - Beverly A. (LaPlante) Crawford, of Scarborough, died July 22, 2014 at her residence in Scarborough following a valiant yearlong battle with cancer. Beverly was born in Old Town, the daughter of Lionel J. (Leo) and Margaret M. Martin LaPlante. She was a graduate of St. Joseph Grammar School and Old Town High School. Throughout her high school years she was employed as a cashier and clerk at W.T. Grants Department Store. During her senior year at Old Town High School, Beverly began working part-time at the University of Maine at Orono. Her10-plus year career at the University included working in the Admissions Office and lastly working as an executive secretary at the Public Information Office. Beverly also worked directly with the Sports Information Director and could often be seen selling tickets at the back gate at Alumni Field during the fall football season. In 1982 she married Christopher K. Crawford and moved to Madison. During her years in Madison, Beverly worked as the board clerk for the Somerset County Soil and Water Conservation District in Skowhegan. Beverly was a communicant of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Madison and was involved with the many school activities of her son Randy. In the fall of 1984 the family relocated to Lewiston due to Chris' career. At that time Beverly decided to pursue her dream of earning her college degree. While studying at the University of Maine, Beverly worked full time for North Country Associates in Lewiston as well as being a full time homemaker. She was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church and also volunteered each week at the St. Joseph's School Beano. This beano was the primary fund raiser for Randy's School. In the spring of 1990, Beverly graduated from the University of Maine with a BS Degree in Accounting, graduating with Honors. Her career in accounting began with work at an accounting firm in Windham. She later worked in the corporate office of Amato's in Portland. For several years Beverly worked as the head bookkeeper at O'Donal's Nursery in Gorham. She deeply loved her job at O'Donal's and all the wonderful friendships that she made there. In 2001, she and her husband Christopher purchased Conroy-Tully Funeral Home from the Tully family. For the next four years, Beverly worked as the accountant and bookkeeper at the funeral home four days a week and as a part-time employee of O'Donal's two days a week. At the funeral home, in addition to her regular work, she handled many special projects including the Annual Holiday Program and the Annual Memorial Day Outdoor Mass at Calvary Cemetery. Beverly was a communicant of St. Maximilian Kolbe Church and was a former Eucharistic Minister. Throughout her life she was an avid sports fan. She loved the Boston Celtics and New England Patriots and enjoyed seeing a game or two in person each season. Beverly was a season ticket holder of the Portland Red Claws D-League Basket Ball Team. She won a trip to Austin, Texas to see the Red Claws play the Austin Toros in 2012. Beverly loved the Portland Symphony and enjoyed attending many different programs at Merrill Auditorium. She will best be membered as a kind and loving person whose greatest joys were time spent with her family and friends. Beverly loved animals and most especially her lab "Willow" and her cat "Lexis Lion". Beverly was most often seen driving with "Willow" in the back seat of her car. She also loved the holidays, especially Halloween, when she would receive over 200 visitors on the given night. This is a fond memory of her brother Leo, who would help her pass out the candy on many of those Halloween nights. Beverly was a woman of great faith and was most appreciative of the prayers bestowed upon her by her many friends and acquaintances during her year long illness. Beverly's family is thankful for the doctors, nurses and staff that cared for her during her illness. Chris and Randy were most grateful for her friends Judy and Patty for their round the clock support during the last days of her life. She was predeceased by her parents and a nephew, Troy Crawford. Survivors include her beloved husband, Christopher K. Crawford of Scarborough; her son, Randy D. Ouellette of South Portland; a brother Leo J. LaPlante and his partner Michael Strempeck of South Portland and Sarasota, FL; two brothers-in- law, Bruce Crawford and his wife Susan of Bangor, and Charles Crawford of Port Orange, FL; three nieces, Angela LaPlante Fauth, Heidi Crawford, Tracy Haws; a nephew Bruce E. Crawford; 4 great nieces and nephews; and many cousins. Visiting hours will be held 3-7pm Friday, July 25, 2014 at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A 10:00am Mass of Christian Burial will celebrated on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough, with interment to follow at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Following the burial, Beverly's family would like to welcome those who wish to call at a reception in the Fr. Concannon Parish Hall at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church. Those desiring may make donations to: St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough, ME 04074, The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, P.O. Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098-0336 or The American Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Topsham, ME 04086.Online condolences may be expressed below.