Dorothy M. Cronin

WORCESTER-Dorothy McDermott Cronin, a lifelong resident of Worcester, succumbed to pneumonia on Tuesday, 13 June. Mrs. Cronin was born on 31 October 1906 to Dr. Francis E. McDermott and Fannie E. Prescott McDermott of Worcester. In later years, she resided in Holden, MA; for the past six years, she had been a resident of St. Mary's Healthcare Center in Worcester.

Mrs. Cronin graduated from the Posse-Nissen School of Physical Culture in Boston, where she was educated as a physical therapist. For a number of years, Mrs. Cronin was employed at Memorial Hospital in the Physical Therapy department. She was appointed Director of the Cerebral Palsy Clinic at Memorial, where she developed numerous innovations in the treatment of cerebral palsy.

Upon her retirement at age 72, Mrs. Cronin worked at the Volunteer Center at the United Way of Central Massachusetts as a placement counselor. Because of health issues, she retired at age 90.

Mrs. Cronin was predeceased by her husband, Francis P. L. Cronin of Boston, and by her beloved sister, Helen E. McDermott, of Holden. She leaves her beloved sister, Mary Alice Dorn of Monticello, IL and four children: Carleton Cronin, of Los Angeles; Gordon Cronin of Northampton, MA; Mary-Linda Lusk, of Worcester; and Lesley Christenson, of Nashua, NH. She also leaves 3 nieces and 3 nephews; 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 11 great great-grandchildren.

Following Mass at St. Paul's Cathedral, 15 Chatham Street on Wednesday, 21 June, at 10:30AM, Mrs. Cronin will be interred at St. John's Cemetery, in Worcester. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the United Way of Central Massachusetts, 484 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608 or to the Patient Activity Fund at St. Mary's Healthcare Center, 39 Queen Street, Worcester, MA 01610. CALLAHAN & FAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 61 Myrtle Street is directing arrangements.