PLYMOUTH, Vt. – Marion A. Crandall, 93, passed away peacefully on Aug. 3, 2026, at the Gill Odd Fellows Home in Ludlow, Vt. She was born on Sept. 7, 1932, in Jamestown, N.Y. She was the daughter of Fred Grant Ayer and Wilmay Robins Ayer.
Marion was raised in Plymouth, Vt., and went to high school in Ludlow and Springfield. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1951.
On Oct. 21, 1951, she married Gordon Maurice Crandall, who was home on leave from the Navy. They then moved to Berkeley, Calif., to start their life together.
Marion worked for the Meals and Wheels Program in Springfield, Vt. She delivered many meals to homebound people and brightened their days with her beautiful smile. Her grandchildren have fond memories of riding along with her while she delivered the meals. She also helped to organize all the other volunteers who delivered the meals. After working with this program, she became a caregiver for people who needed extra help and a companion. She enjoyed helping others to be able to stay in their homes as long as they could.
Some of Marion’s favorite things to do were gardening, reading, golfing, and staying up on politics. She had many dogs in her life, and they were a great pleasure to her. She spent many hours at her camp in Plymouth, Vt., stopping at yard sales on the way for “bargains.” When at her camp, time was spent with family at campfires and cookouts. These times were very special to her, and she spent many hours celebrating with her loved ones. Family trips to the beaches on the coast of Maine were times remembered and cherished by all.
She is survived by her four children, Susan (Elwin) Crandall Peterson, Kathryn (Ronald) Crandall Westney, Rodney (Susan) Crandall, and David Crandall; and her grandchildren, Jeremy (Danielle) Pinders, Angela (Chad) Westney Sharrow, Jennifer (Eric) Westney Linn, Sarah Westney, Forest Crandall, and Robin Crandall; as well as many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Marion was predeceased by her parents, husband, son-in-law Elwin Peterson, and four siblings and their spouses: sisters Margaret (Vincent) Ayer Silliman, Dorothy (James) Ayer Caporale, Virginia (Richard) Ayer Vorba; and brother William Steven Ayer.
Marion had a softness and a strength inside her that could be felt by all. She was loved by so many and will be greatly missed.
The family would like to thank all the staff at Brookwood Estate and the Gill Odd Fellows Home for their kindness and wonderful care provided during her stay with them.
A celebration of life will be held at the Davis Memorial Chapel on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 1 p.m., with a committal following at the Plymouth Notch Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Memorial Chapel, 99 Summer Street, Springfield, Vt.