(April 11- 1937 – November 5- 2017)
Age 80 of Halifax passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in East Preston and raised in Windsor, N.S. and was the daughter of the late George and Elizabeth (Gray) Crawley. Pastor Iona was a member of Cobequid Road United Baptist Church, where she was President of Women In Christ, Chair and Co-ordinator of the Senior & Outreach Ministries and a founding member of the Seniors In Motion Program.
Pastor Iona accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour in 1964 and was baptized at Mulgrave Park United Baptist Church. In 1988 she transferred to Beechville United Baptist, where she was called into Christian Ministry. Iona served in both churches as President of the Ladies Auxiliary; CGIT, Mulgrave Park Mission Band, Women’s Missionary Society. She was also both a life member of the Dominion of Canada & Atlantic Baptist Women (UBWMU). She was once the President of the AUBA Women’s Institute and Executive member of the African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia. A past member of the Council of the Atlantic Baptist Churches & Atlantic Baptist Mission Board; former Pastor of Acaciaville United Baptist and Interim Pastor of Lucasville United Baptist. She has served on the Executive of the AUBA, the Council of the Atlantic Baptist Convention and Vice-Chair of the Atlantic Baptist Mission Board for two terms.
She has accreditation in Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Business Administration, a Diploma in Lay Pastor and was a recognized Lay Pastor under the Convention. She was the founding Director of Wee Care Developmental Centre, and C.E.O. of Crawley’s Management and Training Business Academy. In 1990 she traveled to Zambia, to train women in business and early childhood education for six weeks. She has over thirty years of nursing experience, ending her career as the Nurse Recruiter for African Nova Scotian students at Dalhousie University School of Nursing.
She has served on several boards including, the first African Nova Scotian on the Halifax City School Board, serving as Vice Chairperson; St. Mary’s University Board of Governors, she was once President of her local Home and School Association, a past member of Black Educators Association of Nova Scotia, President of National Breast Cancer Network and YWCA of Canada Board of Directors. Pastor Iona was a breast cancer survivor and founder of Sisters to Sisters, a support group for Black women with breast cancer.
She was the co-founder of the Preston Area Learning Society (PALS) and she received several awards of recognition over the years, including Nurses Union Service Award, Nova Scotia’s Black Woman of the Year in 1975 during International Year for Women, YWCA Women Of Excellence Awards (twice), Dr. W.P Oliver Wall of Honour and was named one of the top fifty women in Canada by Chatelaine magazine in 1975. She also started the first Literacy Program in Halifax County and was specially honoured by Nova Scotia, on International Literacy Day.
In addition Pastor Iona served on several committees and boards for the handicapped, including Nova Scotia and Atlantic Division Multiple Sclerosis, Dartmouth Cerebral Palsy Association and the Council for Exceptional Children.
She is survived by her daughters Lorna – Halifax, Wanda (Alvin) – Dartmouth, Cheryl – Halifax; son Mark (Tessa) – Dartmouth; sister Shirley (Rodney) Windsor, N.S.; grandchildren Jonathan, Joel, Matthew, Adam, Kyla, Miranda; three great-grandchildren; Godsister Marian Cane – Indiana; Goddaughter Heidi Price-Musolino – Halifax and special daughter Iona (John) Stoddard -Timberlea. Visitation will be held 7- 9 p.m. on Friday, November 10th along with a brief Women’s Institute service at 7 p.m. at Cherry Brook United Baptist Church in Dartmouth. Funeral service 2 p.m.Saturday November 11th also at Cherry Brook United Baptist Church in Dartmouth with Rev. Tracey Grosse and Rev. Wayne Desmond officiating. The committal will follow, Cherry Brook Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations can be made in her name to Jonathan Mulolani Trust Fund – e transfer to mulolani@eastlink.ca, Wee Care Developmental Centre or the Cobequid Road United Baptist Church.
Special Thanks to all the medical staff at the QEII Hospital 8.2, 9 Lane, Northwood Home Care, Dr. R. Scovil, Rev. Tracey Grosse, Rev. Wayne Desmond, and to everyone who visited our mother throughout her long hospital stay. May the Lord’s highest blessing be upon you. The Crawley Family

Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Pastor Iona Grace Crawley – (April 11- 1937 – November 5- 2017).source

Death notice for the town of: Halifax, Province: Nova Scotia

death notice Pastor Iona Grace Crawley – (April 11- 1937 – November 5- 2017)- mortuary notice Pastor Iona Grace Crawley – (April 11- 1937 – November 5- 2017)