Rosemarie “Babe” J. Crane

Rosemarie “Babe” J. Crane, (nee Stafford) 91, of Manahawkin, passed away on March 29, 2025 with her family by her side.

Babe was born on January 31, 1934 in her family home in Fairview N.J. to parents Vera and Joseph Stafford. She was the youngest of five children, and with four older brothers she quickly earned the nickname “Babe;” she proudly dawned this nickname for the rest of her life. Babe met the love of her life Horace (Bill) Crane in 1951. Soon thereafter, they married and had three children: Constance, Machelle and Linda.

Bill enlisted in the US Army, and adventure ensued, crisscrossing the country and traveling the world with three kids in tow. While stationed in Georgia, Babe saw an opportunity to aide military families that were constantly on the move. She opened “Snooper’s Corner,” in order to sell their possessions when they were shipping out and refurnish families shipping in; it became her life’s career. Bill went on to serve two tours in Vietnam before he retired in 1972.

In 1970, Babe and Bill settled on Long Beach Island (LBI) in Haven Beach. They were passionate about collecting, refinishing, and selling their treasures acquired while on their travels. They opened an antique store in Beach Haven Gardens in 1972, but sadly, Bill passed two years later, leaving Babe as the family’s sole breadwinner. She exceeded even her own expectations and went on to open four different locations on LBI. In 1988, she expanded to Barnegat and purchased a 100-year-old building on the corners of Route 9 and East Bay Ave. She fully renovated it and opened the first co-operative shop in Southern Ocean County; it became known as “Babe’s in Barnegat”.

She fancied herself the ‘original Martha Stewart,’ and in 1978, her flare for decor earned her a spot on the LBI’s Garden Club house tour. At one point, her talents were highlighted in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. Holidays were always over the top, and preparation for Christmas was a polished production; with baking cookies for days and decorating for weeks.

Summarizing ninety-one years is difficult, but we rode along with you every step of the way. Thank you for a wonderful life and journey. You will always live on in our hearts and memories; you were “simply the best!”

In addition to her parents, Vera and Joseph Stafford she was predeceased in death by her beloved husband and life partner Horace “Bill” M. Crane, her daughter Machelle F. Smith, her son in law Richard Becraft, four brothers, Bud, Roland, Kenneth, and Snook.

Babe is survived by her daughters, Constance Becraft and Linda (Falb) Tanner (Dan), granddaughters, Shannon (Scott) Peters, Megan (James) Carroll, grandsons Nick (Gina) Falb, Billy (Natalie) Smith, great-grandsons Elijah and Rockwell. Also, many nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass will take place on April 30,2025, 11am at St. Francis of Assisi 4700 Long Beach Blvd, Brant Beach NJ 08008. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Francis Senior Services.