Obituary for Marian Crosby Wolke Frances Marian Crosby Wolke (Krispy) of Atascadero, California (formally from Waynesboro, Virginia) passed away at the age of 94 on January 2nd, 2019. Krispy was born in Grove City, Pennsylvania during a snowstorm in February 1924. Her father William Holmes Crosby was unable to attend the birth due to the storm; so her Mother, Frances Irene Forrester Crosby, decided not to name her till Holmes arrived.
In the excitement of her birth, the naming never happened, so “Baby Girl” Crosby grew up “nameless,” yet extremely accomplished and successful. Eventually in the 1970s her father gave her a “proper” and “official” name on her birth certificate. Krispy came from a long line of early American pioneers.
Krispy’s ancestor, John Clark, was abducted from Edinburgh Scotland, held for ransom, and sold into American slavery. Despite this rocky start, the Clarks, Holmes, Conde, Kirby’s, and Crosby’s, paved the way for others to follow. These family members helped establish settlements up the Hudson River, in Charlton, New York and later migrated “North West” to Wilson, New York on Lake Ontario.
In addition, Krispy came from a long line of Protestant Ministers and was married by three, including her Uncle and Grandfather (Willis Kirby Crosby). Krispy was inducted into the Daughters of the American Revolution and continued until her death to be proud of her heritage. At the turn of the century, the Forrester family from Grove City entered into the Crosby family when Holmes married the love of his life, Frances.
The Forrester farm and fruit stand were known by many and Grove City was Krispy’s second home while growing up. Krispy was raised in Oil City, Pennsylvania on West First Street and later Maple Avenue along with her siblings, William Holmes, Jr. (Bill), Forrester Kirby (Foss), and Margaret Ann (Marney). Krispy told many stories of playing among the oil wells, summers at Rockmere on the Allegany River, roller skating, and ice skating.
She had vivid memories of dancing in the living room to the big band greats including Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and Glenn Miller. Krispy also spent many days in the company of her Uncles and Aunts (McKay, Moon) on her grandparents’ farm (William James Forrester and Margaret May Shay) in Grove City, Pennsylvania. Krispy had a knack for listening to, and remembering stories from her elders.
She shared these stories with family throughout her life. During the “War,” Krispy moved to Washington, DC to live and work with Father Holmes, Sister Marney and eventually Mother Frances. Holmes, a licensed architect, had been appointed to the War Production Board, that approved all public building projects in the United States.
Krispy worked days at the Union Train Station and later for Allegheny Airlines at National Airport. She attended the Corcoran Art School at night with her father. Throughout the rest of her life, Krispy graced her family with beautiful water colors including exquisite washes, skies, and landscapes.
Krispy was living at the YWCA in Washington, DC and volunteered with the USO, when she met her future husband, Richard (Dick) William Wolke from Cleveland, Ohio. They were married on August 2, 1942 and a new chapter of her life began. Their love of dance spanned the years and even near her time of death, Krispy was seen waltzing with her son Ray.
Dick worked as an Electrical Engineer and later as an executive for General Electric, starting in Schenectady, New York. It was there that Krispy was paid $1. 25 an hour to be an artist for the GE Drafting Department.
Eventually the family moved to Waynesboro, Virginia (in the Shenandoah Valley) and later to many other locations within the United States. In 1977 Krispy and Dick took an assignment in Denmark. They eventually retired in 1987 when they returned to their beloved Waynesboro, Virginia.
Although Krispy did not have an official General Electric title, it was well known that she was what made the both the company and home life work. One of her biggest jobs with GE was welcoming new GE families, caring for others, raising the children, and tending to the details of Company transfers. During her marriage and adult life, Krispy parented Richard Crosby, Raymond William, Frances Irene and Daniel Holmes, along with other family and friends.
Krispy taught her children to never be afraid of trying new adventures. She made sure there was always music and art in the house. Messes were the norm as her children and friends explored the world around them.
She also had a menagerie of pets in the house. As a child, her first dog was “Prince” and she continued to take in one dog after another, outliving them all. Krispy was an active volunteer leader in the Methodist Church, Girl/Boy Scouts, the schools, the library, the Salvation Army (she was an productive bell ringer) and the art community.
She was also known to give free haircuts out of her kitchen to Fishburne Military School Cadets in Waynesboro. She and Dick backpacked throughout the Appalachian Trail and later Norway. When Krispy stopped hiking, she became a proud member of the “Trail Angels,” transporting hikers on and off the Appalachian Trail above Waynesboro.
Krispy was an avid gardener and could get anything to grow. Her gardening was adored by many and was itself, a work of art. Throughout her teen and adult life Krispy cared for family members in times of need, both the living and the dying.
She taught her children to always have an open-door policy, at a moment’s notice. Krispy was a major part of several nieces and nephews’ lives. To this day, John (with wife Karen) are seen as siblings and not cousins to the Wolke Clan.
Dick and Krispy welcomed others into their home including Henrik Boserup, a neighbor from their stay in Denmark. He has also become a part of the Wolke Clan. Krispy was very influential and active in her grandchildren’s lives.
Jennifer (Jenny), Christopher (Chris), David, and Danielle spent many a summer with Grandma and Grandpa, camping, swimming, and learning life lessons. Her husband Dick passed away early, at the age of 72, leaving Krispy to raise a new set 0f grandchildren including: William, Benjamin, Fallou Ndoye, and Lamine Mbodj. Krispy and her dog Benji moved to California to be near her daughter, Frances Coughlin, in 2013.
She was “adopted” by all who passed through the Coughlin’s house. “Grandma” as she was called, once again blessed those around her. She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and son Richard C. along with her parents, two brothers, and a sister.
Krispy is survived by her “big” brother-in-law Richard Wood (Marney); Sister in Law Naomi Crosby (Bill); Children Raymond (Donna), Frances Coughlin (Tom), Daniel (Darlene), Cousin John Crosby (Karen), Henrick Boserup (Melinda), 8 Grandchildren, 7 Great Grandchildren and many nieces/nephews. Memorial arrangements are pending at a later time in Virginia and in Pennsylvania. Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Shenandoah Valley Art Center, local animal shelters, public libraries, Fishburne Military School, The Daughters of the American Revolution, or any local nonprofit of your choice.
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