Margaret Rita Crotty
November 4, 1925 - May 26, 2023

On her 94th birthday, Marge Crotty walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. It wasn’t easy, but she was determined and she was strong. When she finished, people congratulated her on the accomplishment. It was a beautiful day in San Francisco and people were chatting and laughing, inspired by her spirit and her friendly sense of humor. Mom brought a smile wherever she went.

Never learning to drive, Marge walked almost daily and many in the Fortuna community knew her. Often seeing her with a bag or two of groceries, someone would stop and ask, “Marge, do you need a ride?” She would sometimes reply with, “No, thanks, I’m in a hurry.” Other times she would happily accept the ride home.

Marge passed peacefully on May 26, 2023 at the age of 97. She was born in St. John’s Newfoundland to John and Margaret Heffernan. In 1955 she married John Crotty and in 1956 the couple moved to Fortuna. Margaret and John raised their family in Fortuna. Margaret is survived by her children, Sheila St. John, John Crotty (Debbie Reynolds), Colleen Crotty (Denny Waters) and Kevin (Pam) Crotty. Marge had a special place in her heart for all of her grandchildren, Chad Crotty, Jeffrey Crotty, Kelsey (Tiffany) Waters, Sean Waters, Megan (Russell) Coleman, Beth (David) Newland and Maggie (Jason) Walczak. Her life was blessed with great grandchildren, Emma, Skylar, James, Sara, Sailor, Jack, Kade and Aria. She is also survived by her much loved sister-in-law and true friend, Catherine Will.

Margaret goes on to join her husband John, brothers; William, Joseph, John, and sister Mary (Nash). She leaves behind her brother Michael Heffernan (Judy) and numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom would call her from Newfoundland and Alberta regularly to chat and have a laugh. She enjoyed their calls and was grateful they stayed in touch through the years.

Grandma’s home was the gathering spot for many years of family get-togethers. She cooked holiday dinners well into her nineties. Marge was full of energy, hard-working, independent, living and maintaining her home until her passing. She was always ready to go for an outing, just give her a minute to get ready. Her last outing was a trip to Ferndale for lunch two days before her passing. You can’t keep a good woman down.

She will be missed and she was such a big part of our lives. We continue to be inspired by her strength, her determination, and her always present sense of humor. We feel so fortunate to have had her in our lives for so long.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Humboldt for their support and compassion. Special thanks to her nurse, Jennifer, Chaplain Chris, and her home health aide, “my girl” Itzel.

Her diminished size is in me - not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, “There,
She is gone,” there are other eyes watching her coming,
And other voices ready to take up the glad shout,

“Here she comes!”

— Henry Van Dyke

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