Obituary of Mae A. Crimmins

Mae A. Crimmins, 94 of Maplewood passed away on July 18, 2022 at Winchester Gardens.

Visitation will be held at The Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home 2122 Millburn Avenue, Maplewood, NJ on Sunday, July 24^th from 2-5 PM. The Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 217 Prospect St, South Orange, NJ on Monday, July 25^th at 9:30 AM. Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ.

Mae was born in Irvington, NJ, the youngest of three daughters. When she was a toddler, her mother’s health prompted her family to move to Caldwell, NJ which was considered “the country” at the time.  At the age of four years old and after her mother’s untimely death, Mae’s father relocated the family to the home of his two sisters, Margaret and Mim, in North Newark, NJ.  Mae’s father and Aunt Margaret raised Mae and her sisters and instilled in them a profound love of God and family.

Mae attended St. Michael’s Grade School and High School in Newark.  She graduated from Berkeley Secretarial School which set Mae on a strong and accomplished career path.

Mae landed her “dream job” in the early 1970s when she was hired as the Executive Assistant to the late Emil J. Pattberg, Chairman of the Board, First Boston Corporation. Her career success continued as Executive Assistant to the late George L. Shinn, Chairman and CEO of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation (1975-1983) until his retirement.  In Mae’s semi-retirement years, Mae continued as Mr. Shinn’s Personal Assistant.  Mae sincerely enjoyed working for Mr. Pattberg and Mr. Shinn and often referred to them as “fine fellows.”

Mae postponed her dream of living in New York City for years while lovingly and selflessly caring for several immediate family members.  In 1979, she moved to NYC and it did not take long for her to become a true New Yorker!  She fostered a wide network of beautiful friendships through many different areas of interest. 

NYC arts and entertainment delighted Mae.  She frequented the theatre, opera and museums with friends and family members. Mae had many and varied interests.  She was a member of Club 29 Health Club and swam each morning before starting her workday and continued in retirement.  Mae was also a member of the 33 Club for Seniors, The Ladies of Charity and local museums.  She was an avid reader, participated in multiple book clubs, played the organ, enjoyed painting and sculpting, volunteered for Literacy Volunteers of America, and regularly lunched with the ladies!  Mae carried her small paper calendar with her.  Her social calendar was always full!

Mae’s adventurous side extended far beyond NYC and she became a world traveler.  Although Mae was an organized planner, she was also spontaneous and open-minded.  She welcomed short notice opportunities to embrace new experiences.

Most notably, Mae was devoted to family and friends.  She extended herself and took a sincere interest to connect “one-on-one” with everyone.  Mae had a true gift of making you feel special when in fact she was the special one!

Mae’s strong faith, positive attitude and cheerful outlook guided her. She was blessed with an amazing and fulfilling life.  Everyone in her life was fortunate to have had Mae in their lives.  Her memory is an inspiration and true blessing to all of us.  Never shall we forget the time we spent with her.

After living more than 40 years in NYC, Mae returned to her NJ roots and lived at Winchester Gardens in Maplewood.  Her family deeply appreciates the kind care and support the Winchester Gardens staff provided Mae in her final years.

Mae was predeceased by her parents Frank and Sylvia (Schoenhaus) Crimmins and her sisters Dorothy and Margie Crimmins. Mae is survived by her loving Cousin Grace McGrath, cherished friend Lorrie Rosario, and her devoted nieces and nephews Patricia LaMagna (Paul), John McGrath, Jr. (JoAnn), Kevin McGrath (Debbie), Maureen McGrath, Ellen McGrath and Margaret Henke (Eugene), Robert Miller (Charlotte), Daniel Miller (Nancy), Peter Miller (Shirley), Nancy White (Richard), Michael Miller (Patti), Kathleen Bice (Rob), John Lintott (Greta), Dr. Monica Lintott, Matthew Lintott, Shelia Johnson (Eric) as well as 34 great-nieces and nephews, and many great-great-nieces and nephews.