Phyllis Stearns Crane, age 101, passed away peacefully in her Basking Ridge home on Sunday, August 29, 2021 following a short illness.

She was born in Dedham, Massachusetts on September 21, 1919 to Charles and Edythe (Pratt) Stearns.  She graduated from Dedham High School.  In 1941 she received a degree in home economics from Framingham State Teachers College in Massachusetts.  During the Second World War, Phyllis worked in a factory inspecting the stitching on parachutes while her fiance served with the US Army in Europe.  Phyllis and Bayard T. Crane, Jr. were married in 1946.  She taught school and later had a job inspecting school cafeterias for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Cranes raised three children, Kathleen, Susan and David.  While raising her young family, she lovingly cared for her husband’s mother, Louise Crane.  As her caregiving responsibilities eased, she became more active in community and church work.  She was a member of the League of Women Voters and Church Women United.  Phyllis worked at the election polls for many years, continuing into her nineties.  She and Bayard shared many interests.  Both served on the Bernards Township Democratic Committee.  They were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Bernardsville (Good Shepherd Church) for over sixty years, where both were members of session.

The couple greatly enjoyed travel.  Phyllis took each of her grandchildren to London, England introducing them to her favorite castles, museums, and cathedrals.  The Cranes loved live theater and had season tickets to The Bickford Theatre and The Chatham Players.

Phyllis had a tradition of creating holiday-themed cakes, such as a cake in the shape of the Easter Bunny and a heart-shaped Valentine cake.

She loved watching birds and animals.  Spotting a fox in her yard would brighten her whole day.  She once saved a pigeon by cutting a long string that was tied to its leg.  A bench with a plaque honoring Phyllis’ 100th birthday was placed along a nature trail in the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

Phyllis was an optimist – always choosing to look on the bright side of life.  She had a great sense of humor and was very kind.

She was predeceased by her husband, Bayard T. Crane, Jr., who died February 9, 2015; and by a brother, Richard Stearns.

Mrs. Crane is survived by her three children; Kathleen C. Personette, Susan C. Martin, and David B. Crane; her five grandchildren, Sarah (Crane) Kendra and Krystin (Bowcutt) Grohne, the daughters of David and Leslie Crane; Laura Personette and Kira (Personette) Deveau, the daughters of Kathleen and Douglas Personette; and Russell Martin, the son of Susan and Charles Martin; her four great grandchildren, Madeline, Benjamin and Quinn Kendra and Ayla Deveau; and her sister, Helen (Stearns) Oliver.

A memorial service will be held at the Good Shepherd Church, 321 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville on Saturday, October 30 at 10:00am.  Inurnment of cremains will follow at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, Basking Ridge.  Memorial donations may be made to Good Shepherd Church, 321 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, NJ  07924 or to a favorite charity.  Arrangements are by Layton Funeral Home, 475 Main Street, Bedminster.