Ann Crum

Ann Crum, née Harkins, grew up in Mahopac, New York with her siblings John, Jimmy, Marge, Charley, Eddie, Freddie, Calvin, and Bobby. The eldest daughter of the family, she was born in 1924. As a child, she enjoyed dancing and her mother’s pies. During the Great Depression, the family lived together on a farm in the area, where they housed and fed out-of-work men who came through. This spirit of community, support, and generosity would saturate every corner of Ann’s life—from her career to her family life to her role as a neighbor and community member.
She studied to become a teacher at a women’s college in Connecticut, where she lived for a time with her husband Bill Crum. The couple met when they were the salutatorian and valedictorian of their high school, respectively. Bill Crum served in the military during World War II; while he was stationed in Italy, Ann worked on the home front. For many decades after he returned, the couple were active members of the VFW, where they helped organize and cook Thanksgiving dinner each year.
Ann’s passion for teaching was evident; she eventually studied to earn an additional certificate to teach gifted students across Tampa. Even during her off hours and retirement years she continued to work as an educator, teaching children, including her own grandchildren, to read and paint. A chronic reader herself, with at least two books out from the local library at a time, her passion enlivened others.
In addition to her commitment to community, friends, and family, Ann loved animals—including her late hen, Agnes—coffee, crafts, and American history. She put together charity fashion shows, and she led a presentation of her own design to teach school children about the evolution of the American flag, for which she dressed as Molly Pitcher.
Ann also had an adventuresome spirit; she and Bill saved up to build a large trimaran that they sailed in the Gulf, and after retirement she saved up to travel to Spain, Italy, China, and Australia. As good a story teller as she was a listener, she could entertain the most disinterested stranger with her tales from abroad.
Still, it is those from home for whom her absence will be most felt. She is survived by her children Curt Crum, Kali Plummer, and Keith Crum, her grandchildren Rex and Madeleine Crum, her son-in-law Nick Plummer, and her daughter-in-law Elizabeth Crum.

The Memorial service will be held on Friday March  4 at 2;00 at Holloways Funeral Home in Oldsmar, FL.

Ann loved flowers, and also loved serving at the Retired Educators Association, an organization that provides scholarships to aspiring young educators to be.  .  If you wish to make a donation to that organization here is their information (no online donations, mail in a check for their scholarship foundation): 

Florida Retired Teachers Association

8950 9th St. North

Suite 105

St. Petersburg FL

33702-3047

727-577-6400

info@frea.org

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