Michal Ann and Patrick Lawrence CRAWLEY, CROSLEY

It is with a sad heart that I share the news of the passing of Michal Ann Crawley, and her son Patrick Lawrence Crosley.

I first met Michal when working at the Gatineau Preservation Centre as a Film Conservator. At that time, Bill O’Farrell was still managing the Film/Video & Sound department.

In May 2010, Michal was looking for advice regarding a film belonging to her friend Janet Evans, transferred to DVD. Janet Evans, she said, had worked at Crawley’s and then for years at CBOT, and the 16mm film contained interviews with various employees at Crawley’s, and also with her father when he was still working.

In July 2014, Michal, in preparation for a Crawley family reunion at ‘Grandfather Crawley’s cottage (where her father ‘Budge’ got his first camera and began making films). These early films had been shared with Library & Archives Canada, in the hopes that Michal could have them transferred to DVD prior to being donated to LAC.

Bill O’Farrell would have called this ‘synchronicity’ as I had just recalled the Crawley Home Movies collection up for inspection, and delighted to hear that they were in the process of being donated to LAC.

Not long after, a DVD was made of the Crawley Home Movies, and handed over to Michal.

The collection of the Crawley Home Movies now resides at Library & Archives Canada and the collection can be viewed here:

Home movie footage of the Crawley family compiled over the years 1934 to 1948.

I will always remember being invited to visit Michal at her home on River Lane in Ottawa, and our numerous chats over the years while working at Library & Archives Canada. She will be missed.

Ottawa Citizen Obituary;

Michal Ann Crawley – July 3, 1940 – September 21, 2025

Patrick Lawrence Crosley – February 18, 1970 – September 28, 2025

“Michal was predeceased by her loving husband of 30 years, James William Turpie, and by Lawrence Eugene Crosley, her first husband and Patrick’s father.

Both Michal and Patrick were creators—of stories, images, and music. They shared their talents freely, and brought beauty into the lives of others. They each faced life with passion, courage and resilience, and now they rest in peace.

A joint Celebration of Life for Michal Crawley and Patrick Crosley will be held on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd., Orléans, Ontario.“

Follow the link below to read the speech written by Michal Crawley for the Gatineau Historical Society, Monday, September 16, 1996….