1952 - 2018
No Vistitation Date Scheduled
Funeral
August 18, 20182:00 p.m.
First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist Church
Kathy Anne Cronin,66, of Orleans, MA died Friday July 27, 2018 surrounded by her loving family and friends.
She was married in 2002 to the late Donald Strathie who died in November,2008. Born in Mount Vernon, NY on March 28, 1952, she was the daughter of Marion (Budd) Cronin of Barnstable, MA and the late George Cronin.
She grew up in New Rochelle, NY and later moved with her family to Branford, CT, and then to Concord, MA, where she graduated from Rose Hawthorne High School in 1970, before attending the College of New Rochelle.
Kathy had varied jobs before discovering her culinary skills. She was a self-taught chef and was co-owner of Chanterelle restaurant on Cape Cod. Subsequently she focused on her baking and pastry creations, running a successful business out of her home for several years.
She became interested in youth ministry through her church, and there began her most fulfilling career path as a religious educator, bringing the wonder of life to children of all ages. She worked for many years as Religious Education Director at the First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist Church, Brewster, MA. She held the same position at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durham, NC for five years, followed by two years at First Parish in Lincoln, MA. She retired to Cape Cod in July of 2017.
In addition to her work, she loved creating art and handcrafts. She painted, made jewelry and scarves, and created collages from paper and found material. She also loved walking on the beach with her dogs and enjoying nature. Many friends and family contributed to her collection of heart-shaped stones over the years.
Besides her mother, she is survived by three sons from her first marriage to Albert Kennison of Yarmouth: Jarrett Kennison of Quincy, MA, Travis Kennison of Portsmouth, NH and Myles Kennison of Bourne, MA; two sisters and their husbands, Dianne and Robert Ryan of Leyden, MA and Mary Ellen and Charles Kunesh of Bethlehem, PA as well as many nieces and nephews, and her dog Finley.
A memorial service will be held at First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist Church on Saturday, August 18, at 2 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation, 1411 K Street, NW Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005 or the Katie Tyson Fund for Youth and Young Adult Ministries, c/o Unitarian Universalist Association, Attn: Gift Processing, 24 Farnsworth Street Boston, MA 02210-1409.
A private graveside service will be held at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Concord, MA at a later date.
ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041. Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com
Robert Budd
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Kathy will always be remembered for her zest for life and her contagious smile. Kathy lit up a room when she entered and I believe Heaven is welcoming her and my dad as they took the journey home on the very same day. Blessings to my family in MA as they say farewell to their lovely Kathy.
Joyce Heflin
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You will be missed Kathy. May there be peace and joy for you in the spirit world as you reunite with loved ones both human and four legged. We will take good care of Finn for you.
Mary Ellen Cronin Kunesh
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Sweet sister— you are gone now, but never forgotten! I will carry you in my heart forever! We came so close to finally living in the same place, together again, — we had so many plans, didn’t we? Rest peacefully now…?
Dawn Emanuele
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Kathy and Finn will be missed greatly, what started out as neighbors turned into a friendship that I cherish and so happy
to have welcomed. My sympathies to Kathy’s family, thank you for sharing her for a short time.
Carol Hubbard
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Prayers for her family. I had the pleasure of meeting Kathy in 2009 on The Cape.
Alice Poffinberger
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We shared a lot of fun and laughter. I’ll miss you, Kathy. My condolences to her other friends and family.
Lisa Rose Morton
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Goodbye to a fantastic woman and Friend I’ll miss you greatly!