Marianite of Holy Cross Sister Margaret Mary Cronley, who served for many years in the Diocese, died Feb. 28 in Lawrence Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Lawrenceville. She was 98.
Funeral services will be held March 6 in Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, located in The Terraces at Lawrence, 1 Bishops’ Drive, Lawrenceville. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at which time a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated.
Born in New York City, Sister Margaret Mary entered the Marianites of Holy Cross in New Orleans in 1945. She taught elementary schools in Louisiana until June 1949, when she transferred to French Hospital, New York City, where she served as a sacristan. At Fordham University, she received a bachelor of science degree and master’s degree in education. She taught at St. Louis Academy on Staten Island, N.Y., from 1949 to 1954, and then St. Mary Parish, Ridgefield, Conn., until 1959. From 1959 to 1969, she served as religious superior and principal first in Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ardsley, N.Y., followed by St. Colman Parihs, Brockton, Mass.
In 1967, she was elected provincial of her community and she served in provincial administration in Princeton for 20 years. Following her retirement from office, she joined the Diocesan Chancery staff, working in the vocation center until 2001. She then served as sacramental secretary in St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, until she retired in 2012
Sister Margaret Mary was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Cronley, and her siblings. She is survived by numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces and their families both in the United States and in Kinnegad, Ireland.
Burial will be in the Marianites of Holy Cross Cemetery, Princeton.
Memorial donations can be sent to the Marianites of Holy Cross Congregational Center, c/o Sister Ann Lacour, 75520 Highway LA – 1081, Covington, La. 70435.