Roslyn Croatman Obituary (2023)

Roslyn "Roz" Croatman, a long time resident of Montclair, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 92 on January 23, 2023 at Crane's Mill Skilled Nursing facility in West Caldwell, N.J. Previously, she had resided in the Independent Living wing of Crane's Mill for the past six years. Mrs. Croatman was born in Brooklyn, in 1930, to Leon and Sylvia Lippman. She attended Brooklyn College, graduating in 1952. She was a Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Hunter College and City College of N.Y., also working at Essex County College in Newark, N.J. She taught for 23 years. Roz met the love of her life, Wallace Croatman, at a party in N.Y. in 1962. They married in 1966 and resided in Montclair. Wally died in 1983. She was also pre-deceased by her beloved brother, Irving. As a couple, they became interested in the arts, taking Wally's three children and Roslyn's second cousins to museums, opera and the ballet. Roslyn also participated in the family baseball games at Brookdale Park. Before long, she was attending Mets and Yankees games. She loved to garden and was a member of The League of Women Voters and the Montclair Book Club. Upon her retirement, she traveled the world. In 2020, she adopted Rocky, a Silky Terrier, from St. Hubert's Animal Rescue Center in Madison , N.J. He was the first non-poodle in her household in a span of thirty years. Rosyln is survived by her three step children - Ken (Linda) of Maine, Felice (Greg) of California and Andy (Ileana) of Florida - and by two grandchildren, Steven and Amanda of California, also by several first cousins and several second cousins. Rosyln's' long-time friend, Mary Chalek of Montclair, became her care giver, helping her manage all details of her life to the very end. Donations can be sent to St. Hubert's Animal Rescue, 575 Woodland Ave., Madison, N.J. 07940 or to www.shuberts.org.