Dedicated pediatric nurse, active volunteer, longtime town resident
Jean Cronin. (Courtesy photo)
Jean Elizabeth Cronin, 94, of Palm Coast, Florida, died Jan. 25, 2024, at the Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House. She was born March 5, 1929, in Middleborough, to Louise Albertina Hornby.
In her senior year of high school, Jean moved from Middleborough to Ipswich, where she met the love of her life, Richard Cronin, a lifeguard at Crane Beach. Their romance blossomed and in 1950, they exchanged vows in a beautiful ceremony at Harvard University. Together, they raised three children in Harvard.
Jean pursued her passion for nursing, embarking on a journey that led her to earn her LPN degree and an associate degree at Westbrook College. She commenced her career in the emergency room department of a hospital in Marlborough, eventually transitioning to become a dedicated pediatric nurse at Dr. Zandy Pittelli’s pediatric office in Harvard, where she cared for countless children over the years.
A pillar of her local community, Jean and her husband, Richard, were active volunteers, contributing their time and efforts to various community functions. Richard died in 1988 and upon Jean’s retirement, she relocated to sunny Palm Coast, Florida, where she discovered a newfound passion for golf. She became a valued member of the Grand Haven Women’s Golf Association and later the Palm Harbor “Nine Hole Club” women’s golf club.
Over the years, Jean’s interests included various forms of handwork, such as knitting, cross-stitching, needlepoint, and crewel embroidery. Her love for dogs was evident throughout her life, bringing her joy and companionship.
She is survived by her loving and grateful children: Catherine and her husband, Wayne Gile; Steven and his wife, Nancy Cronin; and Debra Cronin Brown. Her legacy lives on through her cherished grandchildren: Diane Cronin Richmond and her husband, Allan; Patricia Cronin Smith and her husband, Marc; and Breanna Brown Jeremiah and her husband, Amil; as well as great-grandchildren Delaney and Savannah Richmond, Aiden Smith, and Luca Jeremiah.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Jean’s memory be made to the charity of one’s choice. May her spirit live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
