Betty Cronin

1924 - 2022

Mrs. Betty Cronin, 98, passed away Monday morning at her Terra Linda home, a place she loved and lived in for over 60 years. A proud Los Angeles native, Betty was born in 1924, one of 6 children of Joseph and Marie Hamilton, a family of singers and entertainers. Her mother taught tap dancing and her father played piano for the silent movies. Her brother, Joe, a singer in The Skylarks, became producer of The Garry Moore Show and executive producer of The Carol Burnett Show for which he composed its theme song. Her sister Rita (Kipp) was an actress in major motion pictures and television. Betty was an amazing lady; smart, funny, kind, compassionate, patient, wise, and loving. She lived an extraordinary life. As a young woman in Los Angeles, she worked at Technicolor and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Office before becoming a Navy WAVE and serving from 1944-46. It was a chance meeting (Betty filling in at the last minute at an Army vs Navy bowling night in Washington DC) where she met her future husband, Patrick M. Cronin. They were married in 1947. While courting, they asked each other how many children the other wanted. Amazingly, each answered 10. Mission accomplished. Their first child, Denise, was born in 1948 followed by Pat Jr, Thomas, Joseph, twins Nan and John, James, Rosemary, Timothy, and, lastly, Marty, born in 1968. For Betty and Pat family came first. Her children were the greatest joy of her life, and her pies were one of the greatest joys of theirs. As a devoted Army officer's wife, Betty managed her growing family moving to multiple assignments around the world including Staten Island, NY, Virginia Beach, VA, Okinawa, Spain and Korea. The colorful cultures to which she was introduced during those travels both enlightened and enriched her. Her family and friends still marvel at the everyday logistical challenges she conquered raising, cooking for, and caring for 10 active children while often called on to host and entertain for Pat's careers. In addition, she volunteered for women's welfare in San Rafael and taught catechism at St. Isabella's. In the 70's Betty returned to school, attending College of Marin to study Early Childhood Education so that she could assistant teach at a local preschool. She often said her secret to keeping it all together back then was that she began her day with one hour of "Betty Time"; rising at 5 am, making a cup of strong coffee, and reading the newspaper for an hour all before anyone awoke.Her loving husband of 62 years, Patrick, passed in 2009 and her son, Patrick Jr of Houston, TX passed in 2021. Her grandson, Christopher Cronin, of Rohnert Park was lost to cancer in 2010. Memories of Betty will live on in her 9 children, her 13 grandchildren, and her 13 great grandchildren. For almost 8 years, our mother received extraordinary care from her loving caregivers Mary, Elizabeth, Doreen, and Betty's son, Joe. There will be a Catholic funeral mass to celebrate her life this Saturday, October 15, at 2 pm at St. Isabella's Church, 1 Trinity Way, San Rafael. Burial will be private at Holy Cross Cemetery, Los Angeles. In lieu of flowers please send donations to By The Bay Health/Hospice Marin and The Women's Memorial Foundation for Women in Military Service also known as Military Women's Memorial. As well The Alzheimer's Association.