Obituary: Roslyn ‘Roz’ Croatman

Roslyn “Roz” Croatman, a longtime resident of Montclair who taught at the college level for more than 20 years, died peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 23, 2023, at Crane’s Mill skilled nursing facility in West Caldwell. She was 92.

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 New York. She also worked at Essex County College in Newark. She taught for 23 years.

Mrs. Croatman met the love of her life, Wallace Croatman, at a party in New York in 1962. They married in 1966 and lived in Montclair.

As a couple, they became interested in the arts, taking his three children and her second cousins to museums, opera and the ballet. She 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.

For the past six years, she lived at Crane’s Mill.

Mrs. Croatman is survived by her three stepchildren, Ken (Linda) of Maine, Felice (Greg) of California and Andy (Ileana) of Florida; two grandchildren, Steven and Amanda of California, and by several first cousins and second cousins. Her longtime friend, Mary Chalek of Montclair, became her caregiver, helping her manage the details of her life to the end.

She was predeceased by her husband, Wallace, and by her brother, Irving.

Donations can be sent to St. Hubert’s Animal Rescue, 575 Woodland Ave., Madison, N.J. 07940 or to shuberts.org.

Arrangements were by Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home, 76 Park St., moriartyfuneralhome.com.