Dorothy Blance (Opp) Crane

Dorothy Blanche Opp Crane, 94, born in Tampa, FL, daughter of the late Leonard and Letta Kirby Opp, passed away on September 22, 2016, at Halifax Hospice Care Center, Port Orange, FL.

Dorothy was born and raised in Tampa and married the tall, handsome Lt. Fred E. Crane.  Lt. Crane spotted Dorothy at the Gasparilla Parade and told his captain that was the gal he was going to marry.  After months of searching Tampa, he found her, they courted and were married in May 1942 and moved to Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  Shortly thereafter, Fred was sent overseas to serve in World War II where he was promoted to Captain.  While overseas, Fred signed his telegrams to Dorothy with “Gasparilla.”  They were married for 46 years and raised their family in Tampa.  Their summer retirement years were spent in the beautiful mountains of Western Carolina, Franklin, NC.

Dorothy was active in her church community, Keystone Methodist Church, Odessa, FL.  She was a member of the ladies church guild, assisted in organizing many church bazaars and designed and planted the church's prayer garden.  Fred and Dorothy also helped to establish and volunteer with the Gunn Highway Volunteer Fire Department with Dorothy often driving the Seagrave fire engine to emergencies in the Odessa community.  She was also the school crossing guard, PTA president, home room mother, school carnival chairman, active in scouting with her children and participated in their camping trips.

As a dedicated wife and mother, her home was always filled with home-cooked meals, homemade desserts and fresh flowers from her garden.  No task was too big for her to tackle and always carried a can-do attitude which she passed on to her children.  Her loving, caring, sweet personality and concern for others was a blessing to all of her family and those around her.  Of great joy were her three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

After being widowed for five years, Dorothy met and shared 20 years with the late Joseph Riggs Creighton.  They danced, traveled, spent summers in North Carolina and shared time with Joe's sons, their wives, granddaughters and their families.

She was predeceased by her husband, parents, sister, Gladys Laughton (Keith) and leaves behind to cherish her precious memory three children:  Fred E. Crane, Jr., (Cathy), Kathleen Tarnow (Jerry), Marisa Crane; grandchildren Olivia Crane, Tobie Helms (Adam), Ty Tarnow; great grandchildren, Cannon and Paige Tarnow and Avery Helms.

Our family would like to thank our in-home caregivers that rendered compassionate care for the past three and a half years.  In addition, the staff and volunteers at Halifax Hospice Care Center of Port Orange who lovingly cared for Dorothy as well as our family.  We all take great comfort that she reaffirmed that Jesus had saved her and all was going to be just fine.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Halifax Hospice, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL  32129.  Cardwell, Baggett and Summers Funeral Home is in charge locally. There will be a private family graveside service on October 2 and Dorothy will be laid to rest next to her late husband at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Franklin, NC.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Crane family. Online condolences are available at bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

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