Margaret (Sparrow) Cronan, 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at Avita of Needham Memory Care. Prior to her time at Avita, Margaret was a longtime resident of Braintree and Quincy. Margaret was the wife of the late Edward J. Cronan, and daughter of Leona (Marshall) Sparrow and Richard Sparrow, and sister of the late Richard M. Sparrow and Edward Sparrow. She is survived by her sisters’ in law, Maureen Sparrow of South Hadley, Anne Sparrow of North Dartmouth, Carolyn Crosby of Conway, NH and Ellie Cronan of Taunton. Most beloved aunt of Jeanne Sparrow and Will Biedron, (Alison, Andrew, Sarah and Lauren), Elizabeth Sparrow Tashiro (Hannah and Leah), Jim and Paula Cronan (Liam), Maryann and Richard Breton (Meghan and Caroline), Bill Crosby (Liam and Ciara), Arthur Crosby, Beth Ann Cronan, William Cronan (Kera), Debbie and Gary Larson (Christine and Laurie), Eddie and Pat Sparrow, (Erin, Jerry and Kevin), Bill and Bonnie Sparrow (Ted and Will), Linda Sparrow (Nicole), and Sean, Brian, Paul, and Sarah Sparrow and the late Dennis Sparrow and Rick Sparrow, and many great-grand nieces and nephews. Margaret was born in New Bedford in 1925 where her family was part of the close-knit Newfoundland fishing community. She attended Holy Family School and graduated from Bryant College. She and her husband made their home in Braintree and later, she lived in Quincy Center. As a case worker for the Massachusetts State Department of Welfare, she was always ready to help those who were less fortunate. After ‘retiring’ in 1995, Margaret volunteered at the Better Business Bureau for 10 years. When not working, Margaret kept a very busy schedule out on the town. She loved Boston - live theatre, the symphony, and the movies and she was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. She loved dinner out with friends, especially ‘the girls’, her life-long group of eight friends. She loved to travel, touring through Europe but also loved the glitz of Las Vegas. Most of all, she loved her family. Aunt Margaret was everyone’s favorite aunt - she attended countless baptisms, First Communions, birthdays, school plays, dance recitals, graduations and weddings. Every child knew that they were her favorite. Her gift-giving was legendary, especially at Christmas when she competed with Santa as to who brought presents for more children. Margaret was smart, warm and generous beyond measure - she was a true lady. She will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Community Care or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 26 from 4-7pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 27 at 11am at St. Lawrence Martyr Church, 565 County St., New Bedford. Burial will be private. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.