Lucille D. Cronin

1942 - 2016

Lucille (Cooky) D. Cronin, 73, gently and peacefully finished her earthly book on Feb. 29, 2016, to join the Lord in heaven and to dance again with her dear husband, Larry. She died in her Midland, Mich. home with family visiting after a determined 18 month "adventure" (as she called it) after her breast cancer returned.

She was born in Springfield, Ohio in April 1942, the eldest child of the late Robert K. and Marcella L. (Wallenhorst) Derr. She grew up in Springfield with six younger siblings, which probably led to her desire to be an educator, to her life-long joy in immersing herself in books, and to her love of lighthouses. Cooky was a graduate of St. Mary's Elementary School and Catholic Central High School, where she excelled academically and at being the well-behaved, responsible girl she was expected to be.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree at St. Louis University, which she was inspired to attend by her hero and uncle, the Rev. George A. Wallenhorst, S.J. On Aug. 14, 1965, Cooky married her Prince Charming, Lawrence (Larry) J. Cronin of St. Louis, Mo. She taught English for several years at O'Fallon Technical High School and Cleveland High School in St. Louis in between having their two children, Jean and Patrick. After moving back to Springfield in 1970, she spent a year at home with the children while also taking on child care, dressmaking and telephone survey work. She then began working part-time as a librarian at the Park Branch of the Clark County Public Library, where she spent eight happy years honing her story telling skills and developing into an accomplished public speaker.

In 1979, Cooky moved into her "perfect" job - elementary school librarian. In this role, she used all of her talents, skills and knowledge to become the inspirational educator of children (and adults) that God had prepared her to be. In 1990, she was awarded the Springfield City Schools Exemplary Staff Award. During her 29 years, she influenced countless children to love reading and to achieve high standards.

Despite being well over 300 years old, or so she told everyone, she managed the library, created fantastic bulletin boards, was an invaluable asset to the staff and taught library-related lessons and projects. There was no just going to check out books in Mrs. Cronin's library! She created lasting memories for students, staff and parents, including theatrical readings of Bony-Legs, story hour sleepovers, Granny Group, her infamous ability to quiet a large group of rambunctious children, and the powerful "teacher look" that she never lost.

While in Springfield, Cooky was also an active member of St. Mary Parish and later of St. Raphael Parish, serving as lector, lay Eucharistic minister, CCD teacher, RCIA sponsor and various roles on several committees. She was also an active member of the Urbana Cursillo Ultreya and was heavily involved in the movement including being the Lay Director of the archdiocesan Cursillo community. She, Larry, and her parents made many annual trips to Holy Trinity Church in Harlan, Ky., to deliver donated items, many of them knitted by Cooky.

Along with Larry, she was a part of the Friends and M.A.T.E.S. Marriage Encounter Circle. Cooky was also a long time member of the Clark County Public Library Board of Trustees, and represented the Board on several committees and associations. She was a member of the Wright State University Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa.

In 2010, Cooky moved to Midland, Mich., with Larry. After his death a short time later, she began building a new network of friends primarily through church and volunteering. She was a parishioner at St. Brigid Catholic Church and took on roles as lay Eucharistic minister, lector, sacristan, offertory auditor, funeral luncheon committee member and volunteer in the school library. After completing a Christ Renews retreat, she found herself surrounded by a new group of loving, faith-filled friends.

She was a founding member of the Friends Moving Forward group, and after participating in a Midland Area Catholic Community grief program, began facilitating grief programs. She joined the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library Board of Directors and served as their representative on the Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative. She expanded her circle of friends further by joining her first book group for adults and the Golden Guild which fed her "ham actor" side. Amongst all of this and other volunteering activities, she continued to enjoy traveling to new places with family and friends.

Cooky is survived by her daughter, Jean Cronin ("favorite son-in-law" Mike Storey) of Midland; son, Pat Cronin of Rosamond, Calif.; grandson, Luke Storey of Midland; granddaughter, Ella Cronin and her mother, Deema Green, of Palmdale, Calif.; brother, Bob Derr of Cleveland, Ohio; sisters, Barbara Bowles of Louisville, Ky., Dorothy (Augie) Blevins of Springfield, Mary McAfee of Riverside, Ohio and Betsy (Jim) Dean of Springfield; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Derr of Rochester, N.Y. and Marion Cronin of St. Louis; brother-in-law, Rich (Marsha) Cronin of St. Louis; and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and two great-great-nephews. They will miss her wit, wisdom, and smart but silly sense of humor; her being in charge; her many thoughtful notes and gifts; and her remarkable cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, organizing and story telling skills. Cooky was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and her youngest brother, Roger Derr of Rochester, N.Y.

The family would like to thank the staff at Midland Family Physicians and MidMichigan Medical Center who blessed Cooky with their care and kindness during her recent battle with cancer.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Catholic Central High School Scholarship Fund, Clark County Public Library, Grace A. Dow Memorial Library, St. Brigid Catholic School, Midland's Open Door (Crisis Shelters & Soup Kitchen), or the cancer organization of your choice.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, March 11, 4 -8 p.m., at Conroy Funeral Home in Springfield. Please bring the name of your favorite book or a favorite picture or memory to the visitation. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Raphael Church Saturday, March 12, 10:30 a.m. Cooky will be laid to rest at St. Bernard Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, March 14, 3-5:30 p.m., at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home in Midland. A memorial Mass will be held at St. Brigid Church in Midland at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15.