Laura F. Cronin, a life-long resident of Medford and “Citizen of the Year” in 1993, passed away after a heroic battle with cancer on September 20, 2010 at the Melrose-Wakefield hospital. She was 68 years old. Laura was a graduate of Medford High School, class of 1960 and worked for the Medford Board of Health for 41 years. She was past President of the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society, Mystic Valley Unit, as well as a “Reach to Recovery” volunteer for ACS. She was a fundraiser for the United Cerebral Palsy Association and a former member of the Medford Saving Lives Task Force and the Medford Combined Service Clubs fundraising committee. Past President and member of the Board of Directors of the Zonta Club in Medford, an international organization of women executives and business professional organizations, Laura was also past vice president of the Medford Chamber of Commerce and past President and Secretary of the Medford Municipal Employees Union. She was listed in the 1987-88 edition of “Who’s Who in the East”. In recognition of her contribution to the betterment of the community and the welfare of its citizens, Laura was awarded the Citizen of the Year Award (1993) from the Medford Chamber of Commerce for her outstanding service to the city of Medford. She was a former member of the board of trustees at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital as well as the Medford Savings Bank. After 41 years as the Administrative Assistant for the Medford Board of Health, Laura retired in 2002 to fulfill her passion of ballroom dancing. She enjoyed bowling with friends and was an outstanding ballroom dancer. She will be truly missed by her dance partner Stu Gordon as well as her family and the many, many friends she met along her life’s road. Laura was a true country music fan and she traveled several times a year to visit her sister (and best friend) as well as her many friends in Texas. She radiated happiness through her great sense of humor and positive outlook on life and there is nothing she wouldn’t do for her friends and family.
Laura was the beloved daughter of the late William E. and Laura (Falvey) Cronin of Medford. She was the loving sister of William E. and his wife Lorraine D. Cronin of Hampton, NH and Bluffton, SC and COL. Martha A. Cronin, USA, Ret of Garden Ridge, TX and devoted aunt of CDR Jeffrey R. USN, and his wife Michelle Cronin of Tampa, FL, Julie and her husband, Jack Wallace of Fairfield, CT and Mary C. Cronin and her fiancé Jonathan Brooks of Alexandria, VA. Great aunt of JJ and Meghan Cronin. Dear friend of Nancy White of Medford, Clarita “Peggy” Conway of Melrose, Mary Giglio of Medford and Stuart Gordon of Medford. She will be truly missed by her family and as a friend.
Her funeral was from the Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 29 Governors Avenue, Medford, Thursday, September 23, 2010, at 8 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Fellsway West, Medford at 9 AM. Many relatives and friends respectfully attended. Visiting hours were held on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, from 4 to 8 PM. Interment was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Donations in Laura’s memory may be made to Hallmark Health Cancer Center, 41 Montvale Ave., Stoneham, MA 02180 or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For additional information, please visit, www.magliozzifuneralhome.com.