Thirteen days before Anne Lafferty Crotty died, a spinal cord injury left her paralyzed and struggling for breath. Despite this sudden tragedy, she remained upbeat, grateful for the loved ones who surrounded her, and eager to know and affirm each medical worker she met. “You’ve been clear and kind,” she said to the doctor who explained that she was dying. “When you’re having a hard day, I want you to remember that you’re good at this job and on the right path.”
Anne was born in El Paso, Texas, where her father was training to become a medical officer in The Army. After a few years in Vienna and New Orleans, her parents settled in Hickory, North Carolina. As a child, she loved reading books, daydreaming, playing with her dogs, and undertaking projects with her beloved younger brother, John Lafferty. Together they created the neighborhood newspaper that broke the story that their neighbor had defrosted her freezer.
At the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, she fell in love with human geography and majored in history. After completing a master’s in teaching at Wesleyan University, she moved back to Hickory and worked as a reporter for the Hickory Daily Record. While registering voters in 1972, she met a young district attorney, Ed Crotty, and married him in 1973. She returned to Chapel Hill for a law degree and graduated in the top ten percent of her class. She opened up her own private practice in Hickory, where she also helped start the Catawba County Council on the Status of Women and the Hospice of Catawba Valley, one of the first hospices in North Carolina.
In the 1980s, she raised three daughters, Susan, Marian, and Elizabeth, with inventiveness and compassion. She worked part-time writing and editing and moved frequently for her husband’s work as a seminary student and then Lutheran minister—first to Columbus, Ohio, then Ashtabula, Ohio, Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, and Leechburg, Pennsylvania. In the early 1990s, she worked for Laurel Legal Services, an organization that served low-income clients.
In 1996, Anne relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina to be closer to her family. For eight years, she taught social studies at Independence High School, where she won a teaching award and inspired a student to write a song celebrating her catchphrase, “Aw, yes!” In 2005, she returned to law as the Clinic Director of International House, a Charlotte nonprofit. In her nearly fourteen years with the organization, Anne grew the legal clinic from a staff of one to a staff of five and expanded the number of clients served from 124 in 2005 to over 650 clients in 2018.
In 2021, Anne moved to St. Louis to be closer to her daughter, Elizabeth. Anne had not expected to make such a major move in her seventies, at the height of the pandemic, no less, but she quickly embraced her new city. She loved her neighbors, her church, the walks she took with her dog, Sadie, in Tower Grove Park, the chance to hang out with Elizabeth and her wife, Nesha, and the peacefulness of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, her favorite place to take out-of-town visitors and a place that gave her some peace the day her daughter, Susan, died.
Anne relished simple pleasures—walking on the beach and listening to the waves, playing games after dinner with her family, reading books, and staying in touch with the many people who loved her. She saw the best in other people and was quick to forgive their faults. She fiercely loved her grandson, Everett. She had no interest in pop culture or television and thought that if she couldn’t wear her “dressy sneakers” to an event, she probably didn’t need to go. She is preceded by her daughter, Susan Crotty, and survived by her husband, Ed Crotty, daughters, Elizabeth Crotty and Marian Crotty, daughters-in-law, Nesha Newton and Melissa Osquist, and grandson, Everett Osquist. Memorial donations may be sent to The International Institute of St. Louis or International House.
Always enjoyed our conversations sense the first day I met her with my brother Ed together at University of Georgia, while I was on leave from the Air Force..
I met Anne through my wife Donna who sang her praises from the day we met. I was finally able to meet this extraordinary person I had heard so much about when she came back to Charlotte for a visit. Anne was the most genuine, kind person I had met in a long time. She had a way of making you feel “seen” just by her smile. Her text messages always came at just the right time when I needed her. I will miss her dearly and I pray for peace and comfort for her family and friends.
Anne was a dear friend who always sought to lift the spirits of those around her. Her cheerful greeting when we called each other never failed to bring a smile to my face. Even though we were separated by the miles, we were still close because of her intention to maintain her connections with those she held dear.
Her kindness and courage to face life’s challenges remained steadfast to the end. She was an intelligent, strong woman but an even gentler and wonderful spirit. I will always consider her an example of how to live.
One of the regrets we have, is that we lost touch with the entire Crotty family. Anne was a wonderful friend to us, and to our children. She had such a calming way about her, and always knew what to say and when to say it. A vivid memory of a youth group trip to Niagara Falls, and the harrowing, snowy return. Ed and she were there to help us through my dad’s death, and other crises that occur as parents. She is fondly remembered!
Anne Crotty was such a powerhouse; for such a petite lady. Full of love, care and compassion for all she came in contact with. No matter what was happening in her life, she always managed to lift othrts up. Her gifts were encouragement and loving others. She always worked to help the underdog and let them know she was in their corner. I’ve never known anyone like Anne and am sure I never will again. This world was definitely brighter with her in it. The song “For Good ” from ‘Wicked’ really speaks to me. I have definitely “been changed for good” by knowing Anne”. May Peace be with all who knew and loved Anne. RIP my dear friend, until we meet again. 🧡🩷🧡🩷
Anne led a highly consequential life. She permanently improved the lives of many through her fierce advocacy, including many I know personally.
It was an honor to know Anne. Her legacy lives on through her family and her many years of service to others.
May God rest your soul, Anne. Thank you for all you did for International House and the Charlotte community.
Anne was my second cousin. I always loved my visits to her home in Hickory, NC, where she lived with my Aunt Lola, Uncle John and cousin John.
We lost contact with her as our families moved frequently but I kept up with her endeavors over the years through other family members. Once we happened to be buying gas at the same gas station in Charleston, WV. years later, and went for a long catch-up lunch nearby.
I always admired and respected Anne and her commitment to helping others. What a beautiful person!
I met Anne when she brought Sadie to me for grooming, grace, love and compassion just radiated from her and we became friends. I always enjoyed our visits and sitting for Sadie so that she could go on adventures with her family.
She always took the time to make me feel special and loved no matter what was happening in the world. A special light has gone and the world is a little less brighter. Sending much love and peace to her family. She was one of the most gracious people I have ever known.
Mis condolencias y siento mucho pesar en mi corazón, ellos siempre estarán presente en nuestros corazones y redo por su eterno descanso de cada uno