Mary Ellen Crow of Dover Centre passed away peacefully at Riverview Gardens in Chatham on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at the age of 88. Mary Ellen was the daughter of the late Walter Joseph & Mary Agatha (Coveny) Harris. Beloved wife of the late Clayton Crow. Loving mother of Colleen Morgulis (Lewis), Maureen Crow, Eileen VanGrinsven (Chris), John Crow (Tricia) and Wayne Crow. Dear grandmother of Elizabeth (Jeremy), Siobhan (Darius), Sierra (Nessa), Christine (Art), Heather (Gonzalo), Curtis (Courtney), Ashley (Dan), Andrea (Talia), Sarah, Meagan (Garren) and Jack. She had a special bond with each of her grandchildren. She had many great-grandchildren whom she also adored; Mia, Zari, Olivia, Lucy, Ruby, Reed, Lucas, Emily, Mackenzie and Austin. She was the sister of Teresa Lucier (the late Don), sister-in-law to the late Marlene Massender(the late Larry) and the late Wayne Crow and an aunt to her nieces and nephews Clare Quinlan (John), Bill Lucier (Gwen), Pat DeRidder (Pat), and the late Brian (and late Jackie) Crow.
Mary Ellen loved many things in her life, especially family, and her late husband Clayton. He was her best friend and the love of her life for 65 years. Mary Ellen loved family traditions and holidays; she loved hosting the family for Christmas, and welcomed all the many boyfriends and girlfriends, extended family, and friends; eventually, the Christmas table spilled into the living room. She loved attending your important events, baptisms, confirmations, concerts, games, parties and she would make time to make your day brighter. Mary Ellen loved the people she knew, and the new ones she met everyday. She loved her community and was a proud Canadian and proud resident of Chatham-Kent. She gave her time to the Catholic Women’s League, was the first female counselor for Dover Township, was a lay reader at Holy Family Parish, a communion minister, a lifelong supporter of the Liberal party, and chaired the Dresden Fair.
There wasn’t a garage sale in the area that she hadn’t visited, or bought something at, and that gave her a chance to meet so many more people. With Mary Ellen you knew where you stood, she had a sharp wit, was outspoken, and had a great sense of humour. She led by example and taught her family about hard work, showing us that if there was time left in the day, there was probably something that needed to be done. She worked with Clayton farming side by side, built steel grain bins, and kept farming until the age of 85. She will be remembered for her contagious laugh, her love of family and her great faith in God.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a visitation at the Haycock-Cavanagh Funeral Home, located at 409 Nelson Street in Wallaceburg, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, June 18, 2026. The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Holy Family Church in Wallaceburg on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 11:00 am. Mary Ellen will be laid to rest beside Clayton following Mass at Riverview Cemetery. If desired, donations to Catholic Women’s League or Alzheimer Society may be left at the funeral home.
