Veronica Ann (Connolly) Cronin

NEWPORT, NH - Veronica Ann Cronin of Newport, NH passed away peacefully on December 12, 2020 due to complications associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Veronica (Roni) was born in Framingham, Massachusetts on June 2, 1941 to Daniel and Dorothy Connolly. Her father was Water Commissioner for the town and also owned and operated two drugstores.

Veronica earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College in Boston, class of 1963. She continued to fulfill her life-long love of learning, participating in graduate courses at Framingham State College. Roni enjoyed a remarkable 37 year teaching career at Juniper Hill School in Framingham, specializing in 4th and 5th grades.

She married Bruce Cronin, a professional magician and filmmaker, in 1973 and was an important mainstay in her husband's professions, supporting and assisting him in his creative/performance endeavors.

Veronica was a lifelong member of the Framingham Historical Society, a role that seemed perfect in that it combined her love of history, Framingham and teaching. Upon retiring, she devoted countless hours to developing an educational program (History of Framingham) for elementary school children via a collaboration between the Framingham Schools and the Historical Society. She was recognized for this in addition to her teaching and general contribution to the community in 2008 when she was fêted at the annual Salute to Framingham, at a ceremonial dinner in the Sheraton Tara. She was honored for "Outstanding Commitment and Service to Framingham's Youth" and received a number of awards, including a citation from the Governor of Massachusetts.

Roni loved to travel, visiting Alaska, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe. While in Great Britain, she visited and studied the town of Framlingham, subsequently returning to share her knowledge of the history of the namesake of her hometown.

Roni will always be remembered by her former students, colleagues and friends for her natural beauty, spirit and genuine caring. She found passion and excitement in the giving of herself to others. Roni's infectious smile was with her to the near end and the sharing of this was an indicator of how much she loved people.

Veronica spent her final years in the loving care of her husband Bruce and the staff of Summercrest in Newport, NH.

She is survived by her husband, Bruce Cronin; her sister Kathleen Connolly Yelin and her husband Ron; cousins Mary Ellen Eden and her husband Pat; Patricia Suliman and her husband Doug; her brother-in-law Ron Ledford; cousins from the O'Brien and Sentry families who held very special places in her heart; She is predeceased by her sister Frances Connolly Ledford and her parents Dorothy and Dan Connolly.

A service in celebration of her life will be held at a later date in Framingham, Ma. Burial will occur in EdgeII Grove Cemetery at that time.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Newton-Bartlett/Chadwick Funeral Home, 42 Main St., Newport, NH and the Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech St., Framingham, MA. At the family's request there will be no funeral home visiting hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mt Wayte Ave., Framingham, MA 01702, the Framingham Historical Society, or to a charity of one's choice.

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