In Memory of Patricia Ann Crowley
“It is now that is the present reality and the future is still to come.” --Marghanita Laski, THE VICTORIAN CHAISE LOUNGE
There was an early release here in L.A. of a movie called FRENCH KISS, starring Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline, Jean Reno and Francois Cluzet. I loved it so very much and I’m spreading the word. It’s one of those comedy, drama, romance films. It made Alan laugh, too.
The schoolteacher that I worked with in San Francisco, Pat Crowley, wrote to me again:
April 18, 1995
Hi Michael,
I’ve survived 3-months of rehabilitation. The cast is off now. April 6th was the great unveiling. I couldn’t believe how my foot and ankle looked as I hadn’t seen it in a while. Dry skin, muscle atrophy and a lack of circulation in the ankle. I’m taking physical therapy 3x’s a week for 3 weeks to reactivate tissue. I can’t believe how sensitive the foot area is. Touching it sends tingles of sensation through my body. After four treatments of massaging moments of selected areas my foot is steadily beginning to loosen up and not feel like a stiff heavy extension. I have forgotten how to walk. I still feel like I have a cast on it and am still limping. The therapist said usage of the foot will take time, but will progress slowly. I planned to return to work on May 1st but I’ll have to see how therapy goes next week. I can’t get around in school with my ankle swelling after long periods of standing. Much too difficult. I hope you enjoyed your New York visit. I haven’t been there in a while.
With regard to a reading list for your niece, Ashly. I’ll list a few books when I return to school. I’ve sent this list of Bibliographies of appropriate books for her grade level. Some of these she may have already read but anyway these are some of the students’ favorites:
ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS, LITTLE WOMEN, A SECRET GARDEN, A WRINKLE IN TIME, A WIND IN THE DOVE, A SWIFLY TILTING PLANET, THE LION, THE WITCH and THE WARDROBE; books by Marilyn Sachs: VERONICA GANZ, PETER AND VERONICA, THE BEAR’S HOUSE; Judy Blume books: WATERSHIP DOWN, BIOGRAPHIES OF WOMEN IN HISTORY; MORE CANTERBURY TALES by Homer Price; JOHNNY TREMAIN, Historical Fiction: AMERICAN RED. These should get Ashley searching in the library. I hope some of them will interest her.
Fondly, Pat Crowley
While writing today’s blog now in the year 2021 I did an internet search to find Pat Crowley and was sad to learn of her passing in 2018:
Patricia Ann Crowley
On July 18, 2018, Dr. Patricia Ann Crowley died in South San Francisco. Dr. Crowley was predeceased by her sister Mary Florence, who died on June 2, 2018, her brother Robert Lee, and her parents Nora and Jeremiah Crowley. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Sandra, a niece Jacqueline Hanora, a nephew Brendan Fitzgerald, a grandniece Georgia Grace, and a grandnephew Quinn Fitzgerald. She is also survived by many cousins in the Bay area and in Ireland and England.
Dr. Crowley graduated from Presentation High School and earned her BA from Lone Mountain College. She went on to earn two Master's degrees and a PhD all focused in education. She created and taught a gifted and talented program at Redding Elementary for fifth and sixth graders. Dr Crowley was voted teacher of the year by two organizations: once for the state of California and once for the city of San Francisco. Her passion was being in the classroom, teaching and guiding her students. She looked forward to being with "her kids" every day, and missed not teaching when she finally retired.
Dr Crowley, or Pat as she was known by family and friends, enjoyed traveling during the summer with her sister and they usually ended their trip with a visit to their maternal grandmother in Kerry, Ireland. After she retired, she remained active in her sorority, in her parish community, conducting charitable works, and spending time with her long-time companion, Alex Sola, who also predeceased her.
I loved the sunshine face in this new card that Barbara sent to me. It's bright. It's watching...
April 20, 1995 Dear Michael,
Thanks for the cards, and yes—that Italian envelope is lovely. Thanks.
Is this card familiar to you? Today or tomorrow is solstice and I am itching to celebrate. So, you will be here July 4th? I will call to see if BRIDLE HUT is open.
Oh, about e-mail...I really learned about it while getting my journey together since David suggested we communicate that way, so I found its joy. So, what I need to do is glom a computer and get in line. I’ve found so many of my distant friends are online, so it is a good idea. So, to prepare for this step I am going through a purge of my stuff. Two weeks ago, it was clothes and things; last weekend it was a corner of my room and I’m looking forward to attacking another corner before next weekend. This pack rat is in trouble of transforming its fear of being attacked by some cats.
Oh...soccer game was great...FRENCH KISS was surprisingly good. We’ll see BRAVEHEART soon.
Love, Barbara
And another postcard from Barbara arrived a couple of days later:
24 Apr 95 Michael,
...getting more prepared for my jaunt to FRG—counting the days—went to this MONET Exhibit at the DeYoung Museum with Alice Cofield, Jennifer Peterson and my ex-neighbor, Irene, on 4/15 at noon, a lovely outing; then, drove to 3rd Street for lunch at MAX’s Diner, sat at the window whilst the outside was drenched.
My Birthday was GREAT. It snowed at High Points, pounded with hail and beamed sun shine; drove Redwood Road to Castro Valley to friends for lunch and dinner on Friday—took the tour of TAO HOUSE in Danville, Eugene ‘Neil’s house built 1935-1942 with Alice and my friend, Howard, came by and we walked to the Rose Garden and had dinner, went to the UC Theater and saw MARTHA & ETHEL. April 30th is ‘Turn off your television week”
Love, Barbara
‘Time may be going NOT in a straight line but in all directions and in no direction.’ --Marghanita Laski, THE VICTORIAN CHAISE LOUNGE: published in 1953, a book about time travel, two women connected in different times, the unknown, the fear, the link the mystery.
