Obituary of Dorothy Crean

Dorothy Crean

Loved to crochet and make people smile.

Dorothy (Eiberger) Crean, 94, beloved wife, sister, aunt and grand-aunt, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2018 at Brighton Gardens of Florham Park. 

Born in Jersey City on January 19, 1924 to William and Mary (Deiss) Eiberger, she loved her early years living on 13th St.    She graduated from St. Lucy’s grammar school in 1937 and Ferris High School in 1941.

She married the love of her life Vincent “Vinnie” Crean in 1954 and they were married for 34 years until his passing in August, 1988.  They moved from Jersey City to Springfield, NJ where she lived for over 50 years.

She had several jobs in the textile industry, having taken some college classes and traveled to Switzerland and Paris for her job as a stylist.  In her last position, she worked for over 15 years as the office manager for the NYC sales office for Defiance Bleachery, a fabric finishing plant in MA, retiring in 1980.  She enjoyed many years traveling with Vinnie to Florida, and special trips to Hawaii and Paris.

Although Dorothy had no children of her own, she was a devoted Aunt to her six nieces and nephews and like a grandmother to her 11 grand nieces and nephews.  After Vinnie’s passing she spent much time with her grand niece and grand nephew in Florham Park and became known to many in town as Aunt Dorothy or, more simply, AD.

She was a devoted member of Holy Family Parish in Florham Park.  She loved listening to the choir, talking to so many parish friends, going to coffee and donuts, and giving candy to the children sitting near her at mass.

To so many people she will always be remembered as “the lady who crochets“.  She made blankets for countless family and friends.  She designed personalized blankets and made more than 50 over the years for babies and for family and friends going to college.  She felt that making people happy with her creations could be the purpose in life that God intended for her.

Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, husband, brother, Joseph Eiberger, and brother-in-law, Myron Ogonowsky. She is survived by her sister Anne Ogonowsky and her lifelong friend Irene Dohrman.  She will be greatly missed by her nieces and nephews, who were like children to her:  Diane, Maureen, Brian, Barbara, Mary and Laura and their loving spouses.  She adored her grandnieces and nephews: Lauren & AJ, Will, Patrick & Devon, Emily & Gerard, Craig & Alexie, Tommy & Natalie.  She will be greatly missed by cousins, countless friends from Florham Park including her “McDonald’s Sorority”, Florham Park pool pals, and her Atlantic City bus trip friends.

Cremation was private and a memorial service will be held at Holy Family Church in Florham Park later this fall.  The family will provide updated information when available.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250 or to Grace Healthcare Services, Edison, NJ.

Funeral Services were entrusted to Franklin H. Rainear Jr. Affordable Funeral Service & Cremation, 1310 Prospect Street, Ewing, NJ  888-213-4090