It is with the heaviest of hearts we have to announce the passing of our family matriarch Helen K. Cronin, who passed away on Sunday May 7, 2023, at Hartford Hospital after a brief illness. Helen was born in Milford, New Hampshire on June 21, 1928 and relocated with her family to Riverhead Long Island, NY. In school, Helen excelled in academics, athletics and served on her school newspaper. After graduating High School, she worked as a telephone operator until she met her husband James H Cronin who was stationed on L.I. serving in the US Air Force. Helen moved to James’s hometown of Hartford, CT where James served in the Hartford Police Department and Helen stayed at home to raise their six children. When her children were old enough, Helen held a variety of jobs. Starting with being a publican of a few Hartford establishments. Later, she attended Hartford Community College where she received her degree which led her to a career in the business office of Arrow Hart. When the Hartford plant closed in 1986, she decided to move with the company to Brunswick, Maine. Helen loved Maine and after retirement in 1991, she remained in Topsham where she remained active with downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, golf and trips to the Rangeley region with friends and working part-time on occasion. Helen was the consummate “Maine Tour Guide” to family and friends who came to visit. No tour was complete until you went to Bailey Island for photos and a stop at the “Dolphin Marina and Restaurant” in Harpswell for a bowl of fish chowdah and a warm blueberry muffin. Helen returned to CT in 2013, moving to Berlin where she remained active. Helen enjoyed attending family events, weddings, promotions, graduations, cook outs and holiday gatherings. She had tremendous pride in her children’s, grandchildren & great grandchildren’s accomplishments. To say Helen was a sports fanatic would be an understatement. Her love and knowledge of sports would put many men to shame. Helen particularly loved watching football (NY Giants). During the season, Helen was known to decline invitations if there was not going to be a TV available. During her time in Maine & CT, she hosted 57 Super Bowl parties. She also enjoyed watching other major sporting events, such as the Final Four, The Masters, Olympics, and the Kentucky Derby. Aside from sports her favorite pastimes were playing poker (for money of course), cooking, reading the Hartford Courant, watching Jeopardy, NY Times crosswords, knitting and crocheting, lunches and shopping with her granddaughters, traveling abroad with the Bowdoin College crew, trips to the casino and Saratoga to watch the ponies. She was an avid reader, Netflix binger, an expert in analysis of TV Court Trials. Known for her wit and humor she was never at a loss for one liners. (Most were filtered). Helen exemplified perseverance. She truly enjoyed Life and lived it to the fullest and migrated to those who felt the same. She’d say” I have no time for people who sit around all day and complain about every little ache and pain”. Helen would not want anyone to mourn her death but to celebrate her long vibrant life.

Helen leaves behind her daughters, Sherry Cronin (Gary), of Portland, Or, Maureen Santillo (Joe), of Champaign, IL, Nancy Cronin of Berlin, with whom she shared her home. Also, son, John Cronin (Andrea), of Ellington, CT, and her former son-in-law John DiMitruck of Manchester. Also, Pat Murphy, with whom she had a special friendship. She also leaves to cherish her memory are 11 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. Besides her husband James, she was predeceased by her sons James and Kevin Cronin, and her grandson Robert Cosgrove. Also, Alan Day, fiancé.

Friends and family are invited to visit with Helen’s family on Thursday May 11, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 7:00pm at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd in Wethersfield, CT. Private burial will take place at the convenience of the family. A Celebration of Helen’s life is being planned for June 2023. The family would also like to thank the Neurology Teams at The Hospital of Central Connecticut and Hartford Hospital for their kindness and care they gave Helen and the wonderful support they provided to the family. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to The CT Humane Society @ CTHUMANE.ORG.