Remembering Anne Crusan ’73

The Saint Francis University theatre community lost one of its brightest stars in Anne Crusan ’73 when she recently passed away on August 26, 2018. Anne had a huge presence in the theater department during her time at SFU. 

After graduation, Anne pursued an acting career in New York City and New Jersey before returning to Pennsylvania to continue her craft. Through the years, Anne acted in many productions and held many roles including Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Mother Superior in Nunsense, Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha, and many others. A constant fixture at the Greensburg Palace Theater, Anne’s most celebrated performance was for her turn as Matron Mama Morton in Chicago. 

For her contributions to the world of theater, Saint Francis University named Anne a Distinguished Alumna in Arts in 1997 during the University’s 150th anniversary celebration. Anne treasured her longtime friends, Bonnie and the late Kenny Resinski, both of whom mentored her in her burgeoning years as an actor at Saint Francis.

Anne worked in the Latrobe area for many years, attending to the needs of the disabled. She loved to travel annually to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada, accumulating a wealth of wonderful memories with multiple carloads of friends over the years, and the festival held a special place in her heart.

Fellow alumnus and classmate, Chris Collins ’73, wrote about his memories of Anne: “My dear Annie, you made me laugh from the very first day we met in Loretto 45 years ago. Your performance as Yente in Fiddler was a brilliant counterpoint to the Golde played by our friend and your roommate Chris Corbett. Your impact on Theater at Saint Francis spanned decades. We are in your debt. We WILL build the Resinski Black Box Theater and in so doing, honor you. Rest In Peace... and in laughter.”

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to be made in Anne's memory to the Resinski Black Box Theater.