July 22, 1927 – April 22, 2018
Joan Crossman lived a life to emulate. Appreciating and respecting all people from every walk of life, she lived the golden rule to the fullest. Her wonderful sense of humor along with infectious laugh, made everyone feel special. Joan passed peacefully at Greenwich Hospital after a very short stay, on April 22, 2018, three months short of her 91st birthday.
She is survived by her children (spouses) Rick (Kimberly) Crossman, Meredith (Tim) McClung, George Crossman, Budd Crossman and Cynny (Ellery “Tig”) Smith, and was an inspirational role model for how to live a fair and productive life. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, Kasey, Kristen, Forest, Seaton, Melissa and Sarah Crossman, Rob (Rachael) and George McClung, and was an integral part of all their lives and taught them how to treat others. All feel so blessed to have her in their lives and she will be dearly missed.
Many marvelous summers were spent with all hanging by her poolside in Willowmere. Joan was the families matriarch and all would flock to her loving home for holidays, parties and to hang with her. Joan graduated from Greenwich Academy in 1945 and enjoyed life in Greenwich with her best friend Joan Farley Markey. They were known as the “Joans of Stamford” and have been together since early childhood. She married her late husband George Crossman of Greenwich, after meeting at a dance at the Belle Haven Club, in 1950 and they had five wonderful children. Joan was very involved in the DAR, where one can trace her lineage back to the founding fathers of Greenwich, Rye Colony, and New Haven Colony. When her children were young she enjoyed Rocky Point Club and is a lifetime member of Riverside Yacht Club which she enjoyed up to a week before her passing. She was an active member of the Old Greenwich Garden club for many years and it is apparent from her own personal gardens, her love of nature and gardening. Joan was a member of the Greenwich Real Estate Board for forty years and happily retired to enjoy her children and grandchildren when she was 80. Joan was predeceased by her husband George and her dear friend, step-mother and travel-buddy, Nancy Morgan. She was the daughter of Ray and Claire Ridabock. Joan was born at Stamford, Hospital, and after her father was diagnosed with TB and sent to Saranac Lake, lived with her mom, double first cousins Pete, Chris and Rhoda Ridabock and their parents in Stamford, CT.
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Church in Riverside at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 5 with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers donations in Joan’s name may be sent to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
