Mary Ann (Powers) Crystal (1915 - 2015)

Born 5 Mar 1915 in East Grand Forks, Polk, Minnesota, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Joseph Victor Crystal — married 17 Jan 1943 in East Grand Forks, Polk, Minnesota, United States

Died 15 Jul 2015 at age 100 in East Grand Forks, Polk, Minnesota, United States

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Biography

Mary Ann was born on The Point, East Grand Forks on 5 March 1915, the eldest of four children born to Tom Powers and Mary "Mollie" O'Leary in a house originally built by her maternal grandfather, John O'Leary.

She was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and lived in the same house until it was lost in the Flood of 1997.

She graduated from Sacred Heart High in 1934 during The Depression. Those hard times during her formative years carried through her life as she was very conscious of the value of money.

After High School she was employed at what was then Northern States Power and later at JCPenney.

Joseph V Crystal and she married on 17 Jan 1943 when he was home on leave from the US Army. Together they raised three children: John "Jack" (Eileen), Fort Collins, CO; Robert "Bobby" (deceased), and Mary Jo (Gary Gardner), Thompson, ND.

As her children grew she returned to work first at JCPenney and later at the EGF Water & Light Department from which she retired in 1985.

Her entire life centered on East Grand Forks especially The Point and her Irish relatives.

She had an amazing memory for people and places and was a walking genealogy resource long before that hobby became popular.

After retirement she became active with the Sacred Heart Ladies Guild serving light meals after funerals: she "cut and served the cake" for over 25 years.

Sources

• Year: 1920; Census Place: East Grand Forks, Polk, Minnesota; Roll: T625_850; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 197 [1]

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149420639/mary-ann-crystal : accessed 27 May 2022), memorial page for Mary Ann Powers Crystal (5 Mar 1915–15 Jul 2015), Find a Grave Memorial ID 149420639, citing Calvary Cemetery, Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, North Dakota, USA ; Maintained by Always & Forever (contributor 13884493) .

• Obituary [2]