Elinor "Daisy" Crane, of Concord, MA and formerly of Lincoln, MA, passed away on November 2, 2025.

She was born in Jamaica Plain, MA, to Elinor and William Deford in August of 1934. Daisy was their first-born child and older sibling to William Deford, Jr.

In 1935, her family moved to Lincoln. Her father was in finance, hunted birds and loved his hunting dogs. Her mother "Buttons" was a champion amateur golfer, gardener, knitter, and avid bridge player.

Daisy attended elementary school in Lincoln and then went on to Concord Academy for high school and Colby Junior College. She was married in 1956 to George Goddu Crane and followed him while he completed his junior and senior years at Bowdoin, as a "Bowdoin wife". Following college graduation, they moved to New Jersey for George's job and started a family. They had four children together in the town of Mountainside, NJ. After George passed away in 1982, she returned to New England as she had always dreamed of and started the second part of her life.

Daisy's career mainly focused around organizing, administration and healthcare. She was a leader all around: She played the drum in the marching band in elementary school, was class president at Concord Academy, graduated with honors from Colby Jr. College, and led the Bowdoin wives club. Early in her career, she led parts of the administrative staff at the Boston Floating Hospital. As a young mother she headed up the PTA, worked on the board of education, organized costumes for musicals, was a deacon and grief counselor at the church and played a mean game of tennis. In later years, she was recognized for her thousands of volunteer hours at Emerson Hospital, worked backstage and was on the board of Concord Youth Theatre, enjoyed singing in many concerts with the Concord Chorus and loved her hiking groups and the great outdoors. She was generous (and vigorous) with her time and giving to people in need.

Daisy loved New England, her family, the ocean, music, Christmas and a good chocolate chip cookie. She was not a fan of being told what to do or being over managed in any way. She lived with Alzheimer's for 11 years and none of that ever changed.

She is predeceased by her husband George (1982), son David (2021), daughter Jenny (2021) and brother Bill (2023). She is survived by her daughters Sandra Billings (Steve) of Acton, MA, Suzanne Crane (Robert) of Lexington, MA and 7 grandchildren: Tyler, Jack, Jessica, Morgan, Russell, Anna and John.

She died peacefully in Lincoln, Massachusetts, the place she always thought of as home.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours on Friday, November 14th from 4 to 7 pm at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. Her memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 15th at 4 pm in the First Parish (the White Church), 4 Bedford Road, Lincoln, immediately followed by a reception. Private burial will be in Lincoln Cemetery.

Donations in Elinor Crane's memory may be made to the Emerson Health Foundation,133 Old Road to Nine Acre Corner, Concord, MA 01742 or online at Donate - Emerson Health .  All funds will be directed to the development of the new ER at Emerson, where she volunteered for over 30 years.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.