Obituary of Elaine Louise Aquino Crooke

Elaine Louise Aquino Crooke of Fairmount passed away Sunday at home, in the loving arms of her four children. She was 87 and in great health until her last three months. Elaine was born and lived in Niagara Falls until she met the love of her life, the late Major Donald Francis Crooke. In 1959 they moved to Fairmount after his years of service in the Army and made this their home; raising their children and staying active in community events, school activities and church organizations. Elaine was an active member of Tuscarora Golf Club and proud of her hole in one. She loved gardening, cooking, teaching her girls her favorite recipes, and could frequently be found at her beloved Wegmans. Elaine's greatest joy and pride in life were her children and grandchildren. Her four children feel so blessed to have had her in their lives for so long: Paulette (Michael Toner) of Buffalo, Diane (Gary) Ryan of Camillus, Jeffrey (Teresa) Crooke of Liverpool, and Ellen (Stephen Hayes) of Atlanta; and seven grandchildren, Ian Toner, Michael, Jeffrey, and Garrett Ryan, Erin and Emily Hayes, and Maddie Crooke. Calling hours will be held Friday, April 17 at the Edward J. Ryan and Son Funeral Home from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Family Church in Fairmount on Saturday, April 18 at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at the Onondaga County Veterans Cemetery. Donations may be made in her honor to her favorite charity: St Jude Children's Hospital. Elaine's family would like to thank all of the caring and compassionate doctors and nurses who took care of our mom during her brief illness. We especially want to thank Mom's very special angel, Denise, who not only brought a smile to mom's face each day when she visited, but put her arms around us in a way that we will never forget.