Louise was born June 20, 1921, in San Mateo, Fla., and passed on July 4, 2022, Ocala, Fla. Her mother was Addie Louise Bailey of San Mateo, Fla., and her father was John Alden Crosby of Bangor, Maine. Her siblings were Jack and Lilla Crosby, both now deceased, with whom she was very close. Louise grew up during the Great Depression and she learned the value of living within your means. She was raised in the First Presbyterian Church of San Mateo and her faith remained important to her throughout her life. As a child Louise spent most summers at the Crosby family home in Highlands, N.C. She attended the Florida State College for Women and was elected VP of her class. She enjoyed tennis, golf, and social events there and made many lifelong friends.
There she also met Joseph Bloomer of Lambertville, NJ, who was in Army Air Corp pilot training for WWII. They married in October 1942, in Jacksonville, Fla. They had two sons; Joseph, born 1945 and Robert, born 1954. Louise traveled and lived in Morocco after the war and lived the life of an USAF officer’s wife. The American military was treated like royalty at that time. She hosted and entertained military and foreign dignitaries and traveled to many of Europe’s iconic cities.
Louise and Joseph divorced in 1963. Louise continued to raise Joe and Bobby on her own, and obtained her Real Estate license in 1966 in Maitland, Fla. She met Edward Kail, an FBI agent, at a bowling league event. They dated for six years and married in June 1970. Ed had two children; Susan and Larry Kail. Ed was Louise’s biggest fan; he was King Kail but she was the Queen of the house. They had 40 wonderful years together traveling the U.S. and visiting their dear friends Liesl and Ludwig Grimm and Dieter Baer in Austria. Ed, Ludwig, and Dieter all played the accordion and entertained so many over the years. Ed and Louise built and enjoyed a St. Augustine, Fla., beach house and a chalet in Sky Valley, Ga. The number of friends they entertained over their 40 years in these homes is legendary. The Octoberfest parties they had in Sky Valley are still talked about today. Louise celebrated her 100th birthday in Sky Valley last June with all her family and friends.
Louise’s passions were bridge, golf, hiking, gardening, birding, and genealogy. She had traced the Alden lineage back to the Mayflower. Her secret to longevity was Faith, Family, Friends (and a bourbon at 5:00).
Louise is survived by son Robert; grandson Alden and his wife Becca Bloomer and daughter Leighton Lightbody; granddaughter Sara Bloomer; daughter-in-law Dawn Bloomer; and children Jack and Emma Bradley. Daughter-in-law Jan Bloomer and granddaughter Chrissie Staton, her husband Reid and two sons Carter and Ben Staton. Step-daughter Susan Gauthreaux and her husband Bob Gauthreaux.
Louise grew up in San Mateo, Fla., and has very special family there. Her sister Lillas three daughters call it home; Weezie and Tommy Smith; TJ and Susie Smith and son Tanner Smith; LuluGail Parish, Casey, Jeff, and son Luke Griffis; Jan Herrington, RT and Natalie Herrington; and daughters Charlie Jo and Salem and soon, son Rhett Travis Herrington; Charles and Sally Herrington and daughter Elsie Kay Harrington; and also by Frank and Sabrina Crosby and Janie Crosby. Louise is also survived by a list of special friends much too lengthy to mention by name. You know who you are and how much your friendship meant to her over the years.
Louise was preceded in death by husband Ed, son Joseph, and stepson Larry.
Louise will be remembered as a matriarch, a wonderful wife, mother, and dear friend to those lucky enough to have met her. In Websters dictionary her photo is next to the words Lady, Class, Dignity, Grace, Caring, and Friendly.
A private graveside service was held Tuesday, July 19, at Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens. Following the service there was a Celebration of Louise’s amazing life from at her home in Ocala Palms (2361 51st Terrace, Ocala, FL 34482).
In lieu of flowers, Louise asked that a small donation be sent to First Presbyterian of San Mateo, First Presbyterian Church of Ocala, Sky Valley Chapel, or Hospice of Marion County.
“Say not in grief ‘Louise is here no more’ but in thankfulness that she was.”
The Clayton Tribune
July 21, 2022