Passages
Obituary written by William Murray, her grandson
Editor’s Note: The Norwood News accepts submissions for our feature entitled Passages, write-ups that includes milestones, tributes and other items that highlight people in Norwood and the surrounding communities at the discretion of the editor-in-chief.
Patricia Cranley was a long-standing member of this Bronx working class neighborhood and a staple of its Irish-American community. Born in the south Bronx two days before Christmas in 1926, Patricia was a child of the Great Depression. She endured through World War II, The Korean War, Vietnam, and The Gulf War, just to name a few. If we rolled an autobiographic film of her life, there would come a point in her heyday where she resembled the character Mae Mordabito (played by Madonna) in A League of Their Own.
Like in the movie, she could be found in toe-tapping juke joints, swing dancing with sailors on shore leave. In her early adult life, she migrated to Texas before returning to University Heights to raise eight children. She later moved to Norwood while still parenting. For many years she served as superintendent of one low-rise building at 199th street on the Grand Concourse where her capacity for hard work never went unnoticed.
After her retirement as caretaker, she remained the most vigilant of local residents. An unassisted neighborhood watchwoman who maintained such good surveillance over her walk-up, that crime, burglary, and trespassing was almost non-existent at her apartment house.
Throughout her life she endured much hardship. She tended to her son who was disabled for the latter part of his life, and she did so on a permanent basis. In August 2011, he was the fifth of her children laid to rest before their expected time. Last month, on March 31st 2014, Patricia passed away at 87 years old, survived by her three daughters, fifteen grandchildren, and twenty-one great grandchildren.
Many storeowners operating out of Bedford Park Boulevard came to offer their condolences at her wake. In addition, John J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home was met with numerous next-door tenants and a multitude of loved ones. During the funeral mass, Monsignor Kevin O’Brien of St. Philip Neri Church, cited a verse in the Bible from the Epistle of John (12:24), “…but if it die, it beareth much fruit,” referring to a kernel of wheat.
The message it conveyed was how a single grain, placed in the ground, can yield forth many more ripened crops. Similarly, Patricia Cranley sowed into this world, and the result of her life’s hard work is a beautiful family tree, the whole of who were overjoyed at the love and respect showed by their neck of Bainbridge, and beyond.
All her trademarks will be sorely missed. She would go, every St. Patrick’s Day, to church for her celebrant wafer; to further commemorate the day, she loved coffee served sweetened with Irish whiskey and whipped cream at the senior center’s repast.
This time, each year, she shined with all the vigorous and fresh viridity of spring, decked in ivory cashmere clothing. Even as an old woman, she was a sight to behold with pale sapphire eyes, platinum grey hair and buttery skin. By day, she gave her patronage to Mi Casa Bakery and the National Donut & Coffee Shop where she socialized. By night, she was known to run a tab at Madden’s Pub, a tavern newly restored by her granddaughter and namesake, Patricia Murray.
The last few decades were marked by her special ability to leave an unforgettable impression throughout the neighborhood. For that reason, many mourners said it was “the end of an era.” Patricia Cranley was an indescribable woman, beyond words. She defied your understanding – like a joke you try to tell someone – but they just had to be there to get it. Called by many names, “Pat,” “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” “Mom,” “Grandma,” “Nan,” and “Nana,” but each belonging to one person, impossible to forget.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.
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The only ones who helped pay for the wake and funeral were Patricia’s daughter,Kathleen and her husband and children and Kathleen’s sister,
Nancy. Her daughter, Patricia (TC) and the other grand children didn’t contribute one penny. (SHAMEFULL).
Oh my what a classless thing to discuss finances. Thank the Good Lord that any family members had the money in this horrible economy. But to boast of a good deed and belittle others. My oh my and on Good Friday. God Bless the family of this Devine woman. Mr Williams you should be ashamed of ya comment. Proverbs 11:2-4
Proud and boastful people will be shamed, but wisdom stays with those who are modest and humble.
To captain OBLIVIOUS:
ITS NOT ABOUT BOASTING. ITS ABOUT OBLIGATION AND SHAME. THE ONES WHO PAID THE EXPENSES HAD THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MONEY OF THEM ALL. THEY WENT INTO DEBT TO GET THE MONEY TOGETHER and THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. IT IS THE FOURTH TIME. NO ONE EVER HELPED OUT.(SHAME). BIG SISTER TC WHO OWNES A HOUSE IN ARIZONA (PAID IN FULL), SAYS THAT SHE CAN’T AFFORD TO GIVE ANYTHING. (SHAME ON HER). MOST OF THE GRANDCHILDREN WERE RAISED BY PATRICIA AND HER HUSBAND WILLIAM DUGARD. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO BELITTLED THEMSELVES AND THE SHAME IS ON THEM.
SO CAPTAIN OBLIVIOUS, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GOOD FRIDAY. IT IS ABOUT ALL OF THE OTHER DAYS IN THEIR LIVES IN WHICH SHE FED AND CLOTHED THEM.
All caps? Are you screaming at me Mr Williams? Maybe I’ve struck a nerve. Paying for a loved ones funeral is not something one boasts about. You know a lot for a “friend”. In honor of Ms. Cranley I won’t discuss said family and there cruel, careless acts. But guilt is a horrible thing. This is a tribute to her life that you are disrupting with your all cap rant. Perhaps contacting the people you are trying to belittle in your comment would be more appropriate.because this too is in poor taste and a SHAME.
TO CAPT.OBLIVIOUS:
IF I HAD DOUBLE OR TRIPLE CAPS I WOULD USE THEM TO HELP YOU TAKE YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR BUTT. DIDN’T YOU READ THE FIRST SENTENCE OF MY REBUTTLE? TO REPEAT, IT IS NOT ABOUT BOASTING IT IS ABOUT OBLIGATION (“VISIT THE SICK AND BURY THE DEAD”). YOU ARE AN ICEHOLE AND DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.TURN THE PAGE AND READ THE ADS OR THE LONELY HEARTS COLUMN.
Mr. Williams it think it is in bad taste to discredit a family you do not know as well as sully a homage that was written by her family. Unless you have or have first hand knowledge from the members of the family you are trying to discredit which I assure you you don’t as I know the entire family personally, I would ask you hold your tongue. If in fact you are a friend in the know you are aware the Ms. Cranley would be the first to tell you to mind yor business in a less nicer of a way. I’m not going to get into facts I’m aware of for her finally days as it would be in bad taste to bring the dishonor to some of the family members you are putting on a pedestal but I will not allow you to continue to slander grandchildren and great grandchildren who loved and honor this great woman everyday by living by the values she has taught them and raising their family in those same values. So please if you have nothing positive to add abouth this great women this family and community has lost they I ASK that you refrain from future comments. God bless the beautiful grandchildren and great grandchildren of Patricia Cranley who only lost this strong women and honor her memory everyday!!
Me Williams, the “friend” who knows NOTHING……it is very funny that you chose to call your ignorant rant a rebuttal, if you are so concerned with counting others money. Perhaps you should have proof.The people you claim that paid for everything, DID NOT!!! I guess you should pull your head out of your arse, and stop slandering people you DO NOT KNOW!!!unless of course you do. And if you do and are so disrespectful and scared to confront them shame on you for using this forum to do so. As for browsing the lonely hearts section, I’d likely find you and others like you there so I shall pass. I don’t associate with ghetto alcoholic trash. Enjoy your evening and one more thing, all keeps shows your ignorance and immaturity. And lay off the court tv rebuttal is far from the “comment” you posted…… Lol silly boy
All caps shows your ignorance and immaturity . Pardon my error
TO CAPT OBVIOUS ICE QUEEN, ONE AND THE SAME.
NICE SPELLING ON “ARSE”. I GUESS A REAL ASSHOLE KNOWS HOW TO SPELL HIS REAL NAME. FIRST, READ THE ( ) FRIEND “WHO KNOWS”.
YOU DON’T KNOW THE FAMILY,UNLESS YOU ARE PART OF THE DISOWNED FAMILY. I DO HAVE FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE. AS I STATED BEFORE “THEY PAID EVERYTHING AND HAD TO BORROW FROM CREDIT CARDS TO DO SO”. THE OTHERS WERE CONFRONTED BEFORE THE FUNERAL, ESPECIALLY THE WITCH IN ARIZONA. WHERE IS YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND PROOF? WERE YOU AT THE WAKE OR THE FUNERAL OR THE CEMETARY? I WAS. I’M NOT COUNTING MONEY.I’M COUNTING OBLIGATIONS. DON’T B.S. WHEN YOU KNOW NOTHING.
ONE MORE QUESTION.”WHAT WAS MS. CRANLEY’S EVERY DAY NAME”?
Oh trashy alcoholic, haven’t had enough yet? You are a JOKE, You shouldn’t count people’s money. And are you sure your facts are correct. I would double, triple check them. You my dear are the oblivious one. And all caps still? Yawn…… Your repetitive rants are boring. What was her “every day name” ha ha ha I can’t with your ghetto ARSE. What does that or anything you have to say, have to do with you tarnishing this tribute. Lowlifes, no life’s…..
And it’s, one IN the same…just saying
HELLO MICHAEL. WHERE WERE YOU AND YOUR SISTER AND BROTHER? DID THE QUEEN MOTHER TELL YOU NOT TO GO TO THE SERVICES BECAUSE SHE WAS BERATED AND DISOWNED?
YOU SAY TOMATOES. BY THE WAY. I THINK I SAW YOU GOING TO AN AA MEETING.
I HAVE TO WRITE IN CAPS, HOPING YOU WILL SEE THE LETTERS AND TRANSLATE THE WORDS INTO WHAT I SAY AND MEAN. IT TOOK YOU A WEEK TO REALIZE I WAS CALLING YOU “CAPT. OBLIVIOUS. I AM 100% SURE OF EVERY WORD I WRITE.YOU CHECK YOUR INFO, WHICH YOU DON’T HAVE. YOU ARE THE ONE WHO KEEPS REPEATING NEGATIVITY (EXCUSE ME IF THAT IS A “GHETTO WORD”). THE ONLY THING YOU KNOW IS HOW TO SPRLL ARSE. I GUESS ITS BECAUSE YOU ARE CALLED ONE ALL THE TIME. YOU STILL CAN’T OR DON’T WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM TAKKING ABOUT. COME BACK WHEN YOU HAVE THE RIGHT ANSWERS AND PROOF, WHICH YOU CAN’T BECAUSE I HAVE ALREADY GIVEN YOU THE HONEST TRUTH.
Spell check is your friend BTW and it didn’t take a week to notice, your lame attempt of wit. You my dear have no proof.you repeat your irrelevant rants. Same sh#* diffrent day. Again I ask what this had to so with the tribute? To this wonderful, loving woman. Your trash. PERIOD. You say they paid I say prove it, you can’t period. You are bringing up things you HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF (all caps perhaps you’ll get the point) it’s all hearsay. So get off the soapbox, put the drink down and give it a rest already. I know who you REALLY are lol and if I get to bringing up DIRT , oh my you will wish you would have stopped after the first lame attempt to “rebuttal” so think about if you want your dirty laundry here. I’ll wait lowlife no life. Keep trying to figure out who I am, because your first try was an EPIC FAIL!!!!!!!!! MR ahem Williams
YOU ARE A NOBODY AND I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE YOU DON’T KNOW ME.I TOLD YOU THAT I WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF THE FAMILY WHO PAYED FOR EVERYTHING NOT THE LARGE PART OF THE FAMILY THAT DID NOT. IF YOU WANT PROOF, JUST CALL FOX’S FUNERAL HOME. YOU SOUND LIKE A FEMALE FRIEND OF THE QUEEN IN ARIZONA. ASK THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR IF THE QUEEN WAS AT THE WAKE OR FUNERAL MASS. YOUR PROBABLY AN EXPERT AT BRINGING UP PHONY DIRT ON PEOPLE BECAUSE YOUR SUCH A BULL SHOOTER WHO KEEPS REPEATING THINGS OVER AND OVER. YOUR THE ONE WITH NO KNOWLEDGE. HOW MANY SITES DO YOU SHARE YOUR STUPIDITY ON? I TOLD YOU BEFORE, I WAS THERE AND HAVE FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE. SO BRING IT ON.
Well “James” you continue to show not only your ignorance but your total disrespect for this woman. Saying your “a good friend of the family that payed for everything” shows how much class you and the alleged all paying family are. You could not possible of known Pat, Ms. Pat, Nana, Mary……..I could go on but you may not be able to keep up so I will say this again keep your alcohol drug induced rants to yourself because you know nothing. Your brave behind a computer in a public library near your local crack house but were not so brave when you were face to face to spew your lies. Is that because you knew you could not defend the vomit running from your mouth. You are so wrong on so many levels least of all your knowledge of who is confronting you. Go back to rehab a save that last brain cell you have you’ll need it silly boy or should I say girl because you are far from a woman!! N
OH, THE OTHER HALF OF THE ASSHOLE IS BACK.
(ONE in THE SAME). YOU STILL HAVEN’T LEARNED ANYTHING. NICE TRY AT THE NAME GAME.YOUR GOOD AT NAME CALLING WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHO OR WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. GET A LIFE, ALTHOUGH ITS PROBABLY TOO LATE.