Clara A. Crowe

Clara Crowe, age 89, passed peacefully at Lourdes Hospital on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. She is predeceased by her parents John & Anna (Karol) Blatnicky, and husbands Joseph P. Dudek, and John B. Crowe. She is predeceased by daughters Susan Smith and Joan Howe and sisters, Mildred Hussey and Marion Messemer. Also, predeceasing her are: Emily (Dudek) Kozak, Rudolph Kozak, Lawrence Kozak, John Dudek, James Messemer, Donald Hussey, Albert Zeitz and Vaughn Smith. She is survived by daughters Theresa and Roger Congdon and Patricia Royer, grandchildren: Joseph (Elizabeth) Congdon, Maria (Andrew) Eaton, Andrew (Rebecca) Congdon, Anne (Steve) Seepersaud, Susan (Mark) Medina, Sarah (Samuel Rotella) Howe, Rachel (Michael) Corey, Adam (Gwendolyn) Howe, Matthew (Farhzanah) Howe, and Elizabeth (Brad Kirby) Howe, sister-in-law Marilyn Crowe Maume and Clara’s cousins George Karol and Jan Don Karol. She is also survived by 26 great grandchildren and several nieces & nephews. Niece Catherine Kozak Tatich and Aunt Clara shared a special bond. Together Joseph and Clara Dudek built their house making it a warm, enjoyable home. Joseph died suddenly at an early age; Clara continued to live there the rest of her life. Widowed at age 38, with one daughter newly married, she continued to raised her other three daughters still at home. Early work life started at age 16 she when she worked at the Endicott Johnson Company. After her children were more grown she worked at Corlova Industries, General Electric, Amphenol, Cadre, IBM and the Watson Homestead. Later in life Clara married John Crowe. They enjoyed their time together, as well as traveling and socializing with friends and family. Clara and John were married 42 years. She missed him greatly after his passing in 2018. Clara was proud of her Slovak-Rusyn heritage. She loved to cook and bake especially Slovak pastries. She was always willing to share her recipes and try new ones too. Clara was a born hostess, happy to serve coffee and feed anyone who entered her warm & gracious home. A very pretty woman, she took pride in her personal appearance and was fashion savvy throughout her life. She was a good friend to childhood classmates, neighbors and coworkers, remembering birthdays and making telephone calls to keep in touch and reminisce. Her friends have meant a lot to her. She enjoyed the visits and company of family, friends, and neighbors. Her “Green Thumb” made her an expert at raising plants both indoors and outdoors. Annual visits of hummingbirds to her beloved patio gave her great delight. Thank you to all the medical professionals who assisted Clara in the latter part of her life. Your kindness and professional help are deeply appreciated. A special thank you to the Lourdes At Home Care medical professionals. You hold a special place in our hearts. Due to ever present increased COVID-19 Virus activity, funeral services will be for the family only. A brief period of visitation will take place at 10:00 AM at St. James Church in Johnson City followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 AM. Wearing masks and social distancing is emphasized and will be greatly appreciated. Our dear Clara will be laid to rest at St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery when weather and ground conditions permit. Arrangements are by The J.F. Rice Funeral Home 150 Main Street Johnson City New York https://livestream.com/stjamesjc

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