Mary Louise Crommett, who opened the independent Sears catalog store in East Hampton, died on Nov. 18 in Bakersfield, Calif., to which she and her husband had moved in their retirement. Mrs. Crommett, who had lived on Conklin Terrace in East Hampton Village, was 95.
At first she was a stay-at-home mom, but as her children grew older she opened the Sears store, and it became a key part of East Hampton life, in which residents ordered items such as home appliances, clothing, and tools. She was “Amazon before Amazon,” her son, Allan Crommett of Phoenix, said, as she not only fulfilled orders, but Mr. Crommett would deliver and install the appliances. The business was a smashing success, her son said, and Mrs. Crommett loved her life as an entrepreneur.
Keenly interested in her family’s history, she had family records dating back to the Mayflower, her son said, and she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She spent years enjoying the camaraderie of the group and its historical focus.
Mary Crommett was born on Dec. 18, 1929, in Tulsa, Okla., to Charles Ward Hall and the former Louise Towle. She grew up there, and on a family trip to East Hampton met William Crommett. They were married in 1951 and remained here to raise a family.
Along with their son, the couple had a daughter, Lili Marsh of Bakersfield. Both children attended East Hampton schools.
When she and her husband neared retirement, they bought a 44-foot boat they called the Reservation. They spent several summers living on it and exploring Three Mile Harbor.
After their children left East Hampton for college and then careers in other states, Mr. and Mrs. Crommett retired to Tarpon Springs, Fla., where they enjoyed golfing, cycling, and spending lazy days at the nearby beach. They traveled extensively, visiting their children on the West Coast, vacationing with friends in Mexico, and taking long, exploratory road trips.
Ultimately, they moved to Bakersfield to be closer to their children, and their golfing and biking continued. As they were also closer to their two granddaughters, who lived in Orange County, Calif., Mrs. Crommett and her husband were happy to be able to see them grow up. Mr. Crommett died last year.
Mrs. Crommett’s fun and outgoing spirit will be missed by many, her son said. In addition to her son, daughter, and granddaughters, she is survived by a sister, Keeny Robinson of Maryland.
Mrs. Crommett was cremated, as was her husband. Her son said his parents’ ashes will be brought to East Hampton for burial at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in 2026.
