Rosemary C. Crumlish, 90, of West Chester, died peacefully surrounded by her family after a short illness Friday, September 27 at Paoli Hospital.
Mrs. Crumlish, the former Rosemary McCarthy, was the widow James C. Crumlish, Jr., former District Attorney of Philadelphia and President Judge of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.
A true partner in her husband's long and successful career, she was known for her charm, effervescent personality, and keen interest in politics and current events. She was a life-long Democrat. She was active in the Philadelphia Catholic Historical Society and loved to travel. She spent many summers with her family in Avalon NJ and wintered in Jupiter Florida.
Mrs. Crumlish who graduated from Rosemont College and was the first enrolled student at Holy Child Academy in Drexel Hill, was the eldest of six daughters of Rose and Dr. Cornelius T. McCarthy. Dr. McCarthy was a founder and first Chief of Surgery of the then Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital in Darby. An Irish American, he joined the British Army in the early days of W.W. I, before the U.S. entered the "war to end all wars". He received the prestigious British Military Cross twice for bravery, awarded personally by King George V. Family tradition maintains that Dr. McCarthy was the first American to receive this honor more than once.
Mrs. Crumlish was the grandniece of Cardinal Denis Dougherty, former Archbishop of Philadelphia and the niece of Carol McCormick, former Bishop of Scranton.
Mrs. Crumlish is survived two of her sisters, Isabel Mansfield Dolan and Carol Ryan, daughters Rosemary Lord, Patricia Murphy, and Frances Keating, sons James C. III and T. Sean, fourteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Wednesday October 2, 2013 9:30-10:30 AM SS. Peter and Paul Church 1325 Boot Rd. West Chester, PA 19380 followed by her Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM. Int. Calvary Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, donations in her name made to St. Patrick's College in Maynooth Ireland would be appreciated.
Arrangements, The Donohue Funeral Home 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382 (610) 431-9000
Visitation
Wednesday, October 2, 2013 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
SS Peter & Paul Church
1325 Boot Road West Chester 19380, United States