Obituary of Janet Louise Crawford

Janet L. Crawford, lover of birds, butterflies and all things natural, died peacefully today from the effects of ALS at the too-young age of 71. Formerly of Glenmore, PA, Janet spent the last 16 years at her home in Leesburg, NJ. where, right up to the end, she enjoyed seeing the hummingbirds coming to her garden and the five-lined skink that sunbathed on her deck. After obtaining an undergraduate degree from Ursinus College, Janet earned her law degree from Penn State's Dickinson School of Law in 1976. Janet's career, for 24 years, was as a Special Agent with the FBI. She also served as the Chester County District Attorney for several years. Early in its inception, Janet was an official hawk counter at the Rose Tree Park Hawk Watch in Media, PA. Since her retirement, she volunteered with NJ Audubon's Cape May Bird Observatory as an Associate Naturalist, leading field trips in Cape May and Cumberland counties. In addition to birding, Janet enjoyed gardening and had a large native pollinator garden; she also loved needlepoint and rug-hooking and often gifted beautiful pieces to her friends. She loved cats and good red wine. Janet is survived by her brother, John Crawford, sister-in-law, Norma, Florida; and nephew, Alex Crawford of California; and by her niece, Becky Guagliardo, husband Scott and great-nephew John, of California. A memorial service is planned for some time in the future. Memorial donations in Janet's name may be made to NJ Audubon's Cape May Bird Observatory.