Mary Cronin

Sturbridge: Mary C. Cronin, 87, of Library Lane passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, October 26, 2018. She was born in Walpole, MA, the daughter of the late Aaron and Euphemia (MacIntosh) Hill. She graduated from Walpole High School and Fisher Business School in 1951. She will be greatly missed by her husband of 65 years, John (Jack) D. Cronin, by her 8 children: John D. Cronin, Jr. and wife Lynn of Charlton, MA, Shelley L. Desch and husband Joe, of Rollinsford, NH, Cindy L. Cronin of Sturbridge, MA, Thomas H. Cronin and wife Anita of Fiskdale, MA, William A. Cronin and wife Cynthia of Charlton, MA, Caroline M. Phillips and husband Rick of Brookfield, MA, Jeffrey P. Cronin and wife Tammy of Brimfield, MA, and Wayne Cronin and wife Kirsten of Thomaston, ME. She also was a grandmother of 18 grandkids, and a great grandmother of 6. Mary met Jack at Walpole High School when she was a junior and he was a freshman. He said he was taken by her in his study hall and invited her to a dance. They quickly fell in love. Mary’s father was a fire chief in Walpole and she and Jack rode along to a fire service meeting in Marblehead. They sat on the water’s edge, gazing at the sailboats in the harbor and dreamed of owning a boat of their own. They married on June 7, 1953 and settled in a home Jack built for them in Norfolk, MA. They moved to Walker Pond, Sturbridge in 1960. Jack and partners began developing Walker Pond. After dealing with clients every weekend, Jack decided he needed an activity to get his family away on weekends. They purchased the “Tannis”,a Friendship Sloop in 1968 and began a 50 year love affair with the sea. Mary was active in the Friendship Sloop Society as Secretary for many years. She worked side by side with Jack in the building business, worked as a secretary for Attorney Robert George, Sr. for 3-4 years, then managed office of Cronin Cabinets for many years until her retirement. She enjoyed crafts, cooking, baking, reading, flowers and working in her garden. Her first love was her husband of 65 years, and for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and the extended family she welcomed with open arms and a kind and generous heart. She danced at 3 weddings this year – grandson Matthew Phillips’ in May, son Jeffrey’s in August, and grandson Andrew’s in October (just two weeks ago) Calling hours are 4 to 8PM Friday, November 2, in the Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy St., Southbridge. No funeral services. There will be a celebration of life in the summer of 2019. Memorial contributions may be made to Friendship Sloop Society, Treasurer Greg Merrill, P.O. Box 166, Butler, MD 21023 or Overlook Hospice, 88 Masonic Home Rd, Charlton, MA 01507 An online guestbook is available at www.BelangerFuneralHome.com