Suzanne Bowden Crossland died peacefully at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on December 24 surrounded by her sons, Kurt Crossland, Mark Crossland, and her daughter-in-law, Bernadette Crossland, after a brief illness. She was 81.
Suzanne — or Sue, as she preferred to be called — was born on February 4, 1931, in Pittsburgh, Penn., to Dorothy and Al Moser. She was an only child and spent her early life growing up in Pittsburgh. She attended the Pittsburgh Art Institute where she learned to become an accomplished artist in various mediums. Her forte was charcoal drawing. She also painted still lifes and landscapes in oil.
In 1951 she married Frank Wallace Crossland while he was attending the University of Miami where he received a B.S. in engineering. While on campus Sue worked in the administration building as a secretary. She often commented on those years and the many married college-going friends with whom they had so much fun.
Sue and Wally lived on the Vineyard for two years in the 1970s and then moved to Clearwater, Fla., for a time only to move back the Vineyard in 1986 for good.
Sue was especially fond of animals. She adored her golden retrievers, Taffy being the first and then Lucky. Last year she was delighted to receive for Christmas from Mark and Bernie a Sheltie whom she named Harry after an uncle. He was the sparkle in her eye and kept her very busy.
Besides her art work she loved to knit and was extremely capable at it making sweaters, hats, and mittens for everyone in the family. She enjoyed Sunday dinners every week with Mark and Bernie and visiting with Kurt. She also enjoyed coffee and walks with her neighbor, Bobbie Donovan, whom she called her new best friend.
While living on the Vineyard she worked for the Historical Society and the Vermont Shop.
She was predeceased by her husband, Wally, in 2003 and a son, Alan.
She leaves behind her two sons, Mark and Kurt Crossland, her daughter-in-law, Bernadette Crossland, her grandchildren Kyle, Keith, Kane, Josh, Christina, and Caitlyn Crossland, Zoe Shanor, and her step grandchildren Joe, Shaun, James, and Luke DePriest. She loved all her children and grandchildren very much.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, January 12, 11 am in the New Westside Cemetery, Edgartown. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.
