Sydney Pearl Crane
Sydney Pearl Crane was born Sept. 30,1941, in Cleveland, to Catherine (nee Hutton) and Leonard Yurkschatt.
She grew up in Willowick before her family moved to Chardon when she was in her teens. It was on the bus to Chardon High School that Sydney met the love of her life, Lowell “Russ” Crane. They married in 1959 before welcoming their sons, Lowell and then Leonard, four years later.
The family settled on Rock Creek Road in Hambden Township, where together they built a house by hand, with stones from their creek and logs from their woods. Not only did she work alongside her boys in their home’s construction, but she meticulously styled its interior design with unique rustic and woodsy décor.
With her knack for visual artistry and her collaboration with Russ, Sydney enjoyed crafting and painting many decorative pieces over the years, including their grapevine Christmas trees.
She was an avid pie baker and even crafted her own special recipe, “Black & Blue with a Twist.” Additionally, Sydney had a passion for gardening and “antiquing,” always on the lookout for the perfect furnishings to complement their home.
Another defining characteristic was her great love for her kinfolk. She enjoyed visiting with neighbors and friends as well as catching up with her relations on the phone. And she always looked forward to her evening call with her brother, Greg.
Sydney cared deeply for her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she was always happy for them to come and stay a while. Affectionately known as “Green Grandma,” she will fondly be remembered by the kids as the best backscratcher in the world!
Sydney Pearl passed away on Nov. 1, 2024, and is reunited with her beloved husband, Russ; son Lowell; and brother Gary Jasper.
She is survived by her son Leonard (Pam), of Hancock, Mich.; daughter-in-law, Jane, of Chardon; brother Greg Jasper; grandchildren, Brandon (Julia), Megan (Peter) Croke, Nathan (Stephie) and Ian; and great-grandchildren, Cecilia, Charlotte, Simon and Eloise.
Friends and family are invited to a Gathering of Remembrance on Nov. 23, 2024, from 2-4 p.m., at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Holden Arboretum in Sydney’s memory as the beautiful flowers and trees there mirror the Hambden homestead she so loved. Send to Holden Forests & Gardens, P.O. Box 74422, Cleveland, OH 44194-0002 or www.holdenfg.org.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home in Chardon. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.
