An Obituary Of Note

Barbara N. Crocker of Brookfield passed away peacefully on November 1, 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Brockton, MA, Mrs. Crocker was the daughter of the late Elmer B. Nelson and Marie Pepin Nelson. She graduated from Brockton High School and the Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene at Tufts University in Boston , MA She is survived by her husband The Rev. Dr. George N. Crocker of 34 years; three children: Karin Face of Wilmington, DE; Joan Bengtson of Boston, MA; and David Bengtson of Bridgewater; two step sons; Darin Crocker of New Milford, and Drew Crocker of Durham; son-in-law Dean Face of Wilmington, DE; daughter-in-law Dorothy Wyant Crocker of New Milford; three grandchildren: Kyle Crocker, Stephen Face and Caroline Face, a sister Susan Holmes of Tampa, FL; first husband Paul J. Bengtson of Weston; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Alvin Nelson. Mrs. Crocker worked as a dental hygienist in Father Panic Village in Bridgeport and later in Danbury for many years. An avid quilter, gardener, and reader, she was an active member of the Scraps Quilting Group, The Brookfield Garden Club, and The Purple Circle Book Club. She attended the Bible Study Fellowship for many years. She was a devoted mother who cherished her children and grandchildren and loved to spend time with them whether at family gatherings at home or vacationing with them in Maine. During her first marriage to The Rev. Paul J. Bengtson, Mrs. Crocker was an active member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brookfield and made many lasting friendships there. Later she worshipped at St. Paul’s Church in Brookfield for 32 years. Since 2004 she attended Christ Church Quaker Farms in Oxford, where Fr. Crocker is currently serving as Priest-in-Charge. She was genuinely loved and known by her many friends for her kind and generous spirit. Barbara had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. In each church she attended, she found a ministry.  Altar Guild, choir, first communion instructor for children or various women's groups and was a significant part of the spiritual direction of her church. Her unique gift was to "welcome the stranger." She always made newcomers feel accepted. While on retreat, she received ministry for Baptism in the Holy Spirit and manifested gifts of the Spirit in her work for the Lord. A Vigil will be held at Saint Paul’s Church from 3 to 5 pm and 7 to 9 pm on Friday, November 12, Route 25, Brookfield. Friends are invited to attend. A Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated for Barbara on Saturday, November 13, at St. Paul’s Church at 10:30 am. Interment will follow the service in Saint Paul’s Memorial Garden.