Ocean Beach 12
Official Obituary of

Eileen F. (Tedford) Cronin

August 12, 1924 ~ January 16, 2021 (age 96) 96 Years Old
Obituary Image

Eileen Cronin Obituary


 Eileen Frances (Tedford) Cronin was born in East Boston, the eldest Daughter of George "Ted" Tedford & Althea "Tootsie" ( Gallagher) Tedford.  

Throughout her Life she was known as  "Teddy Tedford"   "Lee",  "Big Lee",   and "Grammy Kitty" 
 As a young Child, Eileen was an Army Brat.  
 
 Her Father served in  the 9th Coast Artillery at Fort Banks in Winthrop, and the Family lived in the housing at Fort Heath. 
In addition to operating the huge gun Batteries, George played the Tuba in the Army Band and traveled all around Massachusetts to perform in Concerts, and to march in many Parades in Boston.   Eileen and her Mother would often travel with the Band,  in an Army truck, to Fort Devins to see her Father in the Band. 
After the Fort was deactivated,  the Family moved to George Ave. in Beachmont, Revere.  
 Eileen really loved living there, that was the happiest time of her Life.

She attended Our Lady of Lourdes Church, and the Mary T. Ronan Elementary School, and she had many Childhood Friends in the Neighborhood. 
 She became an expert swimmer,  and loved to swim every day at Short Beach which was her favorite place of her entire Life. 
She lived through the Hurricane of 1938, and 2 floods, which caused her Family to lose most of their furniture and belongings.   
Her Uncle, Ned Gallagher,  was the owner of the Original Arcade at Revere Beach. He had a car and rescued the Family during the 2 floods. 
In 1940, the family  was tired of the storms and floods, and moved back to East Boston. 
At East Boston High School: Eileen excelled in Biology. and was a talented Artist. 
 After High School, she graduated from the Burdett Business School, majoring in accounting and operating a comptometer 
During WW2, she was very proud of the fact that she worked in accounting for The Everlastic Company in Chelsea, which had a government contract to make the elastic webbing for parachutes,   they were well-known as the best Manufacturers in the Country.  
After the War, she met and married Dennis L. Cronin of Peabody, who was an Army Veteran of WW2.
In 1951, they bought a 4 family house on East Eagle St in East Boston.  
In 1956, after her 2 Children were born, Eileen went back to school and became a Certified Nurse's Aid.  
She worked at The Chelsea Memorial Hospital for many years,  caring for the babies in the Newborn Nursery, working alongside many well known Doctors.  
After the Hospital closed it's Maternity Ward, Eileen went to work for Jordan Marsh / Macy's  and retired at age 68.  
She loved Ballet and Symphonies.  
During most of her Life,  she was a Supporter and devoted attendee of The Boston Ballet,  and The Boston Symphony Orchestra where she had the chance to see many famous Ballet Dancers, and Orchestra Conductors.  

She had a Lifelong passion for reading, loved True Crime novels,  and her favorite authors were Charles Dickens, and Gore Vidal, 
She loved cats, and had several,  which earned her the Title of "Grammy Kitty".
She loved spending time with her Grand Kids and Great Grands  and was famous for her endless supply of Ice Cream Cones, shopping trips to Macy's, and reading Bedtime Stories. 
Her children are Eileen Mary Cronin Kaitz and her husband Paul of Holliston, MA. and Paul Michael Cronin and his wife Aida of Chelsea.  
Her Grandchildren are:  Erika Anne Kaitz and her boyfriend Jarred Norsworthy of Uxbridge;  Elizabeth Regina Kaitz and her Fiance Dave Becker of Bridgewater; Dianna Marie Kaitz Leoncini, and her Husband Jeffrey Leoncini of Dedham;   Bijan Saifollahi Cronin and his wife Sahar of Newton.  Azad Saifollahi Cronin of Chelsea, and his fiance Nichole.  Nyomi Rivera of Florida (formerly of Chelsea).  
Her Great Grandchildren are:  Cassie Jade and Brenna Faye Langley of Hopedale,  Isabelle Elena Leoncini of Dedham;  Ayden Amir Cronin of Newton,   Brianna and Roberto Rivera of Florida.
Her Great Great Grandchildren are Sophia Rivera and Jayden Derousier of Florida.  
She was the Loving Aunt of three Nieces:  Sue Eremka Colombo, Paula Eremka Graf, and Beth Parrotta West 
Eileen was the Matriarch of the Family, the last of her 14 First Cousins.  

Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, with concern for family and friends, Funeral Services with Entombment at Holy Cross Mausoleum will be private. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eileen F. (Tedford) Cronin, please visit our floral store.

Friends and family have shared their relationship to show their support.
How do you know Eileen F. (Tedford) Cronin?
We are sorry for your loss.
Help others honor Eileen's memory.
Email
Print
Copy

Services

Private Services

SHARE OBITUARY

© 2024 Smith Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility