Obituary for Gertrude Elizabeth Cronin (Howard)
Trudi Cronin, 74, of West Harwich, MA, born Gertrude Elizabeth Howard on July 29, 1945, died after a courageous fight from lymphoma on April 2, 2020. She was at home and surrounded by her adoring family. Trudi grew up in Newton, MA and attended Newton High School (North) and the University of Rhode Island, where she met her husband Terry.
The family moved often with a long stay in Upper Saddle River, NJ, before settling full time in West Harwich. With every move Trudi created a home filled with warmth and where neighbors and friends were always welcome and often present. No matter the occasion, there was always room for another seat at her table.
She was organized and generous, and held leadership positions with the Upper Saddle River PTO, library, the Newcomers Club and the Board of Education. She was an avid reader and book club member, and she loved the symphony. She had boundless energy and maintained friendships for decades. Those in her orbit received birthday cards, care packages and fresh flowers regularly.
Trudi loved fiercely and unconditionally. Central to her life was family. She and Terry taught their children the importance of working hard, setting goals, never giving up and being kind. To their grandchildren they were “Bubi” and “Bumper” – avid fans at sporting events and keepers of a home filled with photos of each child through every stage of their life.
Trudi was briefly survived by her husband, Terry Cronin, who succumbed to cancer April 18, 2020. They are survived by their children Todd (Rye, NH), Traci (Belmont, MA) and Ty (West Harwich, MA) Cronin, and Elizabeth Ross (Coconut Creek, FL); their spouses and partners Karen Stewart, John Doherty, Brenda Azure and Michael Weiss; and their children Sawyer (13) and Wes (11) Cronin; Anna (17), Layne (14) and Declan (11) Doherty; Sienna (14) and Alexa (12) Azure. They also leave Trudi’s sister and brother-in-law, Patty and Peter Thompson of Port St. Lucie, FL; Terry’s sister and brother-in-law Judy and Tom Purvis of Hilton Head, SC; and many beloved nieces and nephews. They were preceded in death by an infant son, Scott Alexander, and Trudi’s brother Frank Robert Howard.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Gifts may be made in her memory to support Dr. Ann LaCasce’s Research Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA, 02284.
The family moved often with a long stay in Upper Saddle River, NJ, before settling full time in West Harwich. With every move Trudi created a home filled with warmth and where neighbors and friends were always welcome and often present. No matter the occasion, there was always room for another seat at her table.
She was organized and generous, and held leadership positions with the Upper Saddle River PTO, library, the Newcomers Club and the Board of Education. She was an avid reader and book club member, and she loved the symphony. She had boundless energy and maintained friendships for decades. Those in her orbit received birthday cards, care packages and fresh flowers regularly.
Trudi loved fiercely and unconditionally. Central to her life was family. She and Terry taught their children the importance of working hard, setting goals, never giving up and being kind. To their grandchildren they were “Bubi” and “Bumper” – avid fans at sporting events and keepers of a home filled with photos of each child through every stage of their life.
Trudi was briefly survived by her husband, Terry Cronin, who succumbed to cancer April 18, 2020. They are survived by their children Todd (Rye, NH), Traci (Belmont, MA) and Ty (West Harwich, MA) Cronin, and Elizabeth Ross (Coconut Creek, FL); their spouses and partners Karen Stewart, John Doherty, Brenda Azure and Michael Weiss; and their children Sawyer (13) and Wes (11) Cronin; Anna (17), Layne (14) and Declan (11) Doherty; Sienna (14) and Alexa (12) Azure. They also leave Trudi’s sister and brother-in-law, Patty and Peter Thompson of Port St. Lucie, FL; Terry’s sister and brother-in-law Judy and Tom Purvis of Hilton Head, SC; and many beloved nieces and nephews. They were preceded in death by an infant son, Scott Alexander, and Trudi’s brother Frank Robert Howard.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Gifts may be made in her memory to support Dr. Ann LaCasce’s Research Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA, 02284.