Barbara Cronnelly-Hicks

Barbara Cronnelly-Hicks Obituary

CRONNELLY-HICKS - Barbara, age 93, of Bayonet Point, FL formerly of Valley Stream, NY passed on October 29, 2008. Loving mother of Barbara Milillo (partner Don) sons Michael and Kenneth both deceased. Cherished grandmother of Tara Johntry (Ed) Dominick Milillo (Monika). Devoted great-grandma of Eddie, Kenneth, and Madison Johntry and Isabella and Naveen Milillo. Adored aunt of Patricia, Arthur, Geraldine and Bob. She had a generous spirit and embraced life. She will be dearly missed.

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Published by Newsday on Nov. 2, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Cronnelly-Hicks

15 Entries

Arthur

October 27, 2024

...warm, giving...always understanding...always there for you!...miss you Aunt Barbara!

Gerry Fletcher

October 23, 2009

Aunt Barbara

We celebrated your bithday on October 4th, as we always did for as long as I can remember. We miss you and yet somehow feel you are still with us...always in our thoughts and in our hearts. Its hard to believe that almost a year has passed since you left us.

Love you

Pat and Tom Wilson

October 23, 2009

Hi Aunt Barbara! That's what we say everytime her clock goes off to tell us what time it is with those beautiful songs. We love that clock because every hour on the hour we are reminded how wonderful Aunt Barbara was and how much we miss her! She truly left a wonderful mark on everyone she met and she got alot of love because she was always giving out love in so many ways one of which was all the sweet things she made for us and for all those she loved. She was truly my hero and I hope that if I live as long as she did that I have even half her energy and zest for life. Her early life was hard and a lesser person could have been angry or bitter but she just kept praying and thanking God for her blessings and married again to a wonderful man- Harry and had a second chance for happiness that she grabbed with gusto!I will always remember the visit when I was into painting white birches- my favorite tree with my water colors and after each attempt your Mom would say "Oh that's boooteeeful- as she said in her own inimitable way!" And of course with that kind of encouragement I kept making them until I made a real pretty one and Tom built a frame for it and it is in Jackie's house in Savannah!
Your Mom taught us all how to live life to the fullest grabbing all the gusto! I am eternally grateful to have had her in my life especially after my Mom died so young at 57 she became my surrogate Mother and what a wonderful loving one she was! God bless you Aunt Barbara for teaching us how to love life , to enjoy all the simple pleasures, to never take anything for granted, and that your family was the most importand thing in the whole wide world. We miss you soooo much and I would give anything to wake up one morning and see your Mom sitting in her favorite chair next to the fireplace smiling at me but I know she is here in spirit looking down on us from heaven as the sweet little angel that she made for us looks down on us from above the TV. We love you soo much! All our love, Pat and Tom

Pat and Tom Wilson

October 23, 2009

Hi Aunt Barbara! That's what we say every time your clock chimes the hour with those beautiful songs. You were so generous to give us that clock and Barbara thank you for fulfilling your Mom's wishes- not that you wouldn't but it was a very sweet gesture on all of your parts. Anyway I can still see your Mom sitting here by the fureplace she loved so well and encouraging me as I painted one water color after another of white birches - my favorite tree. After each attempt your Mom would say "Oh that's beautiful! or as she would say - That's boooteeful! And of course with that kind of encouragement I kept making them until I made a really nice one and Tom built a frame for it and Jackie has it now in her hime in Savannah! Your Mom was truly an inspiration to us all and we will never forget her. She taught us so much about how to live our lives with spunk and spirit and her joy at all the little things mainly her wonderful family( and that's not a little thing!) But she found joy in everything and was so grateful for every little thing we did for her. One of her favorite things was picnics and we took to a campsite one day and cooked hot dogs over an open fire on a stick. Well you would have thought we were giving her filet mignon the way she enjoyed that simple hot dog. We can all learn alot from the way she lived her life and I am eternally grateful for having her in my life. After my Mom died at 57 Aunt Barbara became my surrogate Mother and I have been so blessed to have someone so loving to fill in for my Mom. Aunt Barbara we love you so much and miss you terribly. I would give anything to wake up one morning and find her sitting by the fireplace smiling at me but I know she's here in spirit and I have her little angel to remind me that she is looking down on us from heaven. God bless you Aunt Barbara for all the wonderful memories you gave us and all the life lessons you taught us: to appreciate everything, to never take anything for granted and to thank God in all things! We thank you God for giving us our precious Aunt Barbara!!!! All our love, Pat and Tom

Monika Milillo

October 21, 2009

Grandma we miss you like crazy...the girls are getting so big, you would love how Bella talks just like you and uses funny sayings like you did. Not a day goes by that we don't tell stories about you and smile...love and miss you terrible.

Arthur Caruana

January 25, 2009

...If you could build ..."a perfect aunt"...she would have to feed me, when I was hungry...hug me, when I needed it most...correct me when I was wrong...and then take my side...water my plants...look at me , in such a way, that I knew I would never be alone...and be the very definition of unconditional love...and ...she has to look..just like Aunt Barbara !

Pat Wilson

December 1, 2008

Aunt Barbara will always be dear to our hearts. I am grateful for the wonderful memories we had with her during her visits with us at the lake. She loved picnics and sitting by the fireplace and I know she is watching over us now. She will always be an inspiration to us with her zest for life and the joy she found in all the little things. We will always love her and miss her and she will always be in our hearts and prayers. God Bless you Aunt Barbara for being such a wonderful part of our lives. We love you!

Tom Wilson

December 1, 2008

Aunt Barbara,There are too many wonderful memories of the fun we had together to mention them all but you are in our hearts and minds every evening as Pat and I sit to do our evening prayers and face the clock that you left us on the wall and the little angel that you made for us that sits atop our tv stand. As we pray the rosary I can see you sitting in front of the fireplace with your cup of coffee and smiling at us with your infectious smile, These are the memories that will alway's be in my heart. Pray for us every day Aunt Barbara and you will never be forgotten in the lives of all those who you became so much a part of.

Tom Wilson

November 30, 2008

Aunt Barbara was one of the sweetest women I ever knew. Even into my 30's, I always got a birthday card from her with a gift in it. She was always thinking of everyone else before her self. She always lived life to the fullest and was a great inspiration to all who knew her. Her sharp wit and sense of humor were always there to keep things in perspective. We will always be thankful for being blessed with our time with her.

Bob Arrigon

November 24, 2008

My wife, Terri and I have so many wonderful memories of my Aunt Barbara. We enjoyed many an afternoon taking her out to lunch and being challenged to find a restaurant that would have on its lunch menu her special craving of the day. We recall how much she loved to cook and how we had the best meatballs and spaghetti ever at her apartment in Patchogue, followed by her vintage pineapple upside down cake. We remember how she crocheted pot holders and hanging towels for our kitchen (knowing our love of animals, she always made cat and dog towel prints for us). Every year on our Christmas tree, we hang the ornaments she made for us and this year they will be even more special to us. As we hang them, we will reminisce over the special times we shared: the trip out East for her 90th birthday, the times she stayed overnight at our home, and our discussions with her about her beloved TV shows, especially the cooking shows, "The Bachelor," and "Dancing With The Stars." Even when she was dealing with her final illness, she never forgot to ask about Terri's family, even those she had never met, and she empathized with us over the loss of Terri's nephew and oldest brother last year.

Aunt Barbara had such a giving heart and such an infectious zest for life. She was a mother to us all in different ways and while we will miss her so very much, we are so very grateful for the time we had with her.

Chris Wilson Herrmann

November 18, 2008

I will always hold such fond memories of Aunt Barbara, my dear godmother, in my heart. She never forgot about me, even when I lived 3,000 miles away for many many years. I have kept and treasured all of her lovely correspondence over the years. I'm saddened that the distance kept me from seeing her more often, but am thankful she was always surrounded by such a wonderful loving family, who took care of her until she was ready to leave this world. She will always remain an inspiration. Barbara, Tara, and Dominic...I send you and your families much peace and comfort. With much love, Chrissy

Gerry Fletcher

November 18, 2008

Aunt Barbara will remain alive in my heart and memories as a funny, practical, strong, engaging women, tough as nails on the outside, and soft as a kitten on the inside. She had a very loving relationship with all of her family, but was especially proud of her daughter Barbara who took great care of her, in every respect. You are an inspiration to us all.
Love Gerry, Nic, Chris and Adam

Monika Milillo

November 5, 2008

Grandma,
Your spirit and passion for life burns within my husband and girls. My hope for Isabella and Naveen is that they are as outspoken, independent and beautiful as you were.

You are greatly missed. We love you.

Barbara Milillo

November 2, 2008

My Mother lived a wonderful life with many exciting life experiences. She had a generous heart and a lively spirit. She enjoyed travelling and creating many beautiful crafts. She cherished her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She adored her nieces and nephews. Her love of life can be a lesson for all of us. She dreamed as if she would live forever and lived as if she would die tomorrow. She enjoyed her 93rd life celebration party on Oct. 4th and entered her eternal resting place peacefully on Oct. 29th. She will be missed terribly. I love you Mom.