Obituary of Sr. Margaret Mary Cronley, MSC

Sr. Margaret Mary Cronley, MSC, 98, a Marianite of Holy Cross, died at Lawrence Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Lawrenceville, NJ, Friday, February 28, 2025.

Born in New York City, NY, to parents Thomas and Elizabeth Cronley, Sr. Margaret entered the Marianites of Holy Cross in New Orleans, LA, in 1945.  Sr. Margaret taught in elementary schools in Louisiana until June, 1949, when she was transferred to French Hospital in New York City.  Sr. Margaret served as sacristan there and began her educational career at Fordham University, New York, earning both a B.S. and a Master’s Degree in Education.  Sr. Margaret taught at St. Louis Academy on Staten Island, NY from 1949 until 1954, and then at St. Mary’s Parish School in Ridgefield, Connecticut, until 1959.  From 1959 to 1969, she served as Religious Superior and Principal, first in Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ardsley, NY, and next in St. Colman Parish in Brockton, MA.  In 1967, her Marianite Sisters elected Sr. Margaret as Provincial.  Sr. Margaret served in Provincial Administration in Princeton, New Jersey for 20 years. Upon her retirement from office, she first ministered in the Diocese of Trenton Vocation Center until 2001, then served in Saint Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, NJ, as sacramental secretary until her retirement in 2012.  

Predeceased by her parents and siblings, Sr. Margaret is survived by numerous, devoted and loving nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grand nieces and their families, both in the United States and in Kinnegad, Ireland.

The family and the Marianite Sisters wish to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the personal aides and the medical staff who cared for Sr. Margaret throughout her illness. 

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, The Terraces at Lawrence, 1 Bishops’ Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ.   Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 o’clock.  Internment will take place at the Marianites of Holy Cross Cemetery, Princeton, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to the Marianites of Holy Cross Congregational Center, in care of Sr. Ann Lacour, 75520 Highway LA – 1081, Covington, LA 70435.