Joan Marie Crimmins

            Joan Marie Crimmins, born October 25, 1930, has passed away. She was the oldest of five children born to Edward Joseph Rosensteel who died in 1961 and Margaret Mary (Marx) Rosensteel who lived to be 100. Joan’s remaining family, who will miss her dearly, are her two sons, David Crimmins of Hatfield, PA and Robert Crimmins of Felton, DE, her sister Margaret Rosensteel of Virginia Beach, VA and her Brother, Paul Rosensteel who now resides in Oregon. Mrs. Crimmins was the wife of Arthur George Crimmins of Hampton, VA who left us in 1989 after forty-one-years with Joan.

            Joan and Art shared an interesting, varied and full life. They met in Hampton, Virginia after Joan’s family moved from her birthplace, Scranton, PA. Their first date was on April Fools Day, 1945 when they were fourteen-years-old. They remained devoted to each other from then on. In 1967 the Crimmins family, which consisted of their first child, Diane, and the two brothers moved to West Deptford, New Jersey. After that Joan and Art lived in Wilmington, Delaware; Pennsylvania, Montreal; Bozman, Maryland; Tillamook, Oregon and Los Angeles. Art’s pursuits and his careers as a machine operator, salesman, marketeer, engineer and inventor kept them on the move and Joan’s career as an accountant was a continuous source of support for them and great gratification for her.

            Their daughter Diane, who passed away a few years after Art, gave Joan her first grandchild, Joe. Joan’s other grandchildren are Daniel, an Iraq War veteran and Patrick, now in the United States Navy, who are Rob’s sons and David’s children; Carol, who is a nurse and lives in Florida and Philip of Chengdu, China and now Vietnam.

            According to Judi Crimmins, Robert’s wife, Joan was not only the best mother-in-law possible, she was a great friend. David’s wife Beth, loved her and agrees with Judi regarding Joan’s place in the history and annals of in-laws.

            Judi, Rob, Art and Joan worked together on Art’s invention, an airship dubbed “The Cyclocrane” in Bozman and Tillamook and moved to Los Angeles together when that adventure came to a close. When Rob and his family moved to Florida Joan and Art went back to Pennsylvania to be near David and his family. Joan stayed there until 1998 and then moved to Camden, DE to spend the rest of her life near Rob and Judi. Both brothers and their families therefor had the supreme pleasure of Joan’s company during her retirement.

            The fact that the family stayed together while pursuing personal goals that took Joan and Art across a continent and back, and up and down both coasts attests to their incredible bond. The Bedouins of North Africa hold to their families no more strongly than the 20th century nomads named Crimmins.

            Joan was a voracious reader, outstanding Bridge player, Republican and lover of peanut butter Snickers. She also loved oceans, bays and marshes. She laughed freely and often and she cherished the memories of her life with and love for Arthur.

            Her son Robert went to Joan’s home on January 27th to take her on an errand. The significance of the day changed suddenly, and Rob was to discover his capacity for suffering, when Joan didn’t respond to the bell and his calls. Joan’s life alert device was not on her so Rob would like the families of those who need them to make sure your loved ones keep them activated and within reach.

            She was a private person and asked that there be no event associated with her passing but her family feels the end of such a remarkable life should be recognized so there will be a gathering of family and friends at the Barclay Farms Clubhouse, 1 Paynter’s Way, Camden, DE 19934 on Sunday, February 12th at 1:00 pm. A luncheon will be served. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Joan’s name to United States Parachute Association Freefall Style and Accuracy Landing Competitions (Joan was “old school”). Send checks made out to “US Parachute Team Inc” to USPA, 5401 Southpoint Centre Blvd Fredericksburg, VA 22407 & include notation “for S&A in memory of Joan Crimmins”.

            Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com

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