‘Legendary’ Legacy: Denise Crowley Retires After 19 Years of Transforming Community Life in Montgomery
By Nicholas Mistretta
After nearly two decades of heartfelt service to Montgomery Township’s seniors and families in need, Denise Crowley, Montgomery’s longtime Community Resource Manager, will officially retire on June 1—leaving behind a legacy marked by passion, creativity, and a deep commitment to community.
Crowley, who is currently recovering from spinal surgery, spent 19 years as a steady and spirited presence in Montgomery. With boundless energy and compassion, she elevated the Senior Center—run by Somerset County—and the Montgomery Food Pantry into two of the township’s most cherished institutions.
A Career of Purpose and Joy
Dividing her time between the Senior Center (30 hours per week) and the Food Pantry (10 hours), Crowley built a vibrant, inclusive environment that touched hundreds of lives.
“Never one day did I not want to come to work,” she said. “I have loved every minute.”
From organizing seasonal food baskets with local Girl Scouts to overseeing musical theater productions starring seniors, Crowley always put the human connection first. She attributes much of the food pantry’s early foundation to Lisa Youngberg, who started it in the early 1990s, even running it from her home.
“She not only helped with the pantry—she literally taught me how to run it,” Crowley said gratefully.
Turning the Senior Center Into a Stage
Under Crowley’s guidance, the Senior Center became a creative haven. Crowley produced full-scale performances like My Big Fat Greek Wedding, The Lion King, and Grease, with seniors building their own sets and costumes.
She brought laughter to life with programs like Dancing with the Senior Stars, Minute to Win It, and Family Feud, which was hosted with energetic flair by John Rooney. She transformed holidays with themed parties, including a raucous Kentucky Derby Day complete with tabletop horse races and a New Year’s Eve at Noon bash.
Crowley made sure every detail was just right, and behind the scenes, she had invaluable help. “A huge thank you to Montgomery’s Public Works crew—especially John Snyder and his team,” she said. “They’ve done the craziest things for me over the years—hanging disco balls, setting up backdrops, putting up the Christmas tree every year. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
A Musical Legacy
Perhaps her proudest creation: the ukulele program, launched with a county music grant. “Ukulele is happy music,” Crowley says. What began as a single band soon became two—The Full Monty and The Mini Monty—thanks in part to the dedication of instructor John Fitzpatrick, and her own son, Chris, whose enthusiasm helped the groups flourish.
“Seniors would even trek through snow just to attend rehearsals,” Crowley recalled with a smile.
Gratitude and Goodwill
As her retirement approaches, Crowley is quick to deflect praise and shine the spotlight on others.
She thanked Elyse Rufolo, a pillar of support throughout her time at the center, and Joanne Fetzko and Sheetal Bahati, her direct supervisors. “They gave me the room to bring my ideas to life,” she said.
She also gave kudos to John Groeger, Director of Recreation, for always being supportive of her initiatives, and to Jill Koster, who she called her “go-to” tech hero: “Without her help, I might still be struggling with the basics!”
And above all, she acknowledged the seniors themselves: “Our amazing seniors always stepped up to help. They were at the heart of it all.”
A Changing Landscape
Over the years, Crowley navigated evolving policies and tighter resources. “The spontaneity faded a bit as the work became more administrative,” she admitted. “But we always found a way to keep the creativity going, to make every quarter’s event special.”
Despite the challenges, Crowley’s spirit never wavered—and her contributions never went unnoticed. From performances to pantry drives, she brought out the best in Montgomery.
As one township official put it: “You simply cannot tell the story of Montgomery’s community heart without a full chapter on Denise Crowley.”
Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com