Flora S. (Corra) Crowder, 95, Librarian

Flora S. (Corra) Crowder passed away peacefully at home on Saturday June 8, 2013 at the age of 95. She was the wife of the late Robert G. Crowder, formerly of Albany NY.

Flora was born in New York City, the daughter of Julius and Ida Corra, immigrants from Venice Italy. She spent summers on a farm near Swartswood Lake New Jersey. Her father was a civil engineer and her mother a talented seamstress. Flora attended New York City public schools.

She aspired to be a teacher, but the Great Depression intervened, working instead as a secretary at an international trade business. Flora and Bob lived in Albany, New York at first, then New York City. After World War II, Flora and Bob lived and raised their children in Mineola, New York.

Once the children were grown, she found her dream job in the town library as an assistant in the Children’s Department. She so enjoyed her reading groups with the preschoolers or helping youngsters with their homework. Flora had an insatiable curiosity to learn. She was an avid reader, continuing to acquire knowledge until the last few weeks of her life. She loved to travel and saw much of Europe, Asia and America.

Flora was a great lover of nature and took much joy in being near the sea. Flora also loved birds and other creatures and often expressed great insights into the workings and adventures of the natural world. She supported local and national land conservancy organizations and was a member of the Sierra Club. Flora was also a great cook, a talented gardener and a skilled craftsperson who presented many beautiful quilts and afghans to her beloved children and grandchildren.

Shortly after retirement, Flora and Bob moved to Magnolia, MA . Flora was a parishioner of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Gloucester and a member of the Gloucester Women’s Club. She volunteered in the Fuller School library and brought much joy to many children via her storytelling abilities. Twelve years ago Flora came to live with her daughter in Salem.

Flora is survived by her beloved daughter Nancy Crowder of Salem, Massachusetts; her beloved son Robert Crowder and daughter-in-law Kathy Crowder in Albany, New York; her cherished and loved grandchildren Ariella & Julian of Salem; Andrew, Rachel and Brian of Albany.

A wake was held on June 11 at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem. A visitation will be held in St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 10 North Main Ave., Albany, NY on Thursday, June 13, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. to be followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m. in the Church.

Flora will be interred with her husband in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Colonie, New York. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Essex County Greenbelt Association (www.ecga.org), 82 Eastern Ave. Essex MA 01929. For additional information or on line guest book, please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.