Jane Cronin died May 13, 2007. She was 88.
Mrs. Cronin was born in Melrose, Idaho, to Gertrude and Samuel Sardam, on a farm a few miles north of Lewiston. She graduated from Lewiston Normal School and then attended Eastern Oregon Normal School.
Mrs. Cronin began her teaching career in Lewis, a town in Wallowa County just outside of Enterprise. In true pioneer fashion, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse and rode to school each day on horseback. She used to tell how one day the county superintendent visited the school and was surprised to see her dressed in such professional attire. She commented that she always changed into a dress after arriving at school and built a fire to keep the room warm.
Mrs. Cronin continued her career as an educator and taught elementary school in Joseph and then Enterprise. She was a teacher in Wallowa County for 32 years and always said that she grew to love every student that went through her class.
Her longtime husband Vic Cronin proposed to Jane on Valentine’s Day and they were married Sept. 5, 1942. They were married a few months shy of 50 years before Mr. Cronin died.
Vic Cronin managed the Boise Cascade lumber mills in Joseph, Elgin, and La Grande. When his career ended, the couple retired in La Grande.
On spring and summer evenings, the couple could often be found fishing on Wallowa Lake or enjoying a round of golf. They truly enjoyed their life together.
Wallowa County Chieftain, May 17, 2007
Second Obit.
Jane Cronin, 88, of La Grande and formerly of Wallowa County, died May 13. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. June 2 at the Enterprise Community Congregational Church.
Mrs. Cronin was born Aug. 22, 1918, in Melrose, Idaho, a few miles north of Lewiston, on a farm owned by her parents, Gertrude and Samuel Sardam. She graduated from Lewiston Normal School and then attended Eastern Oregon Normal School.
Jane began her teaching career in Lewis, a town in Wallowa County just outside of Enterprise. In true pioneer fashion, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse and rode to school each day on horseback. She told the story of how one day the county superintendent visited the school and was surprised to see her dressed in such professional attire. Jane commented that she always changed into a dress after arriving at school and building a fire to keep the room warm.
Jane continued her career as an educator and taught elementary school in Joseph and then Enterprise. She was a teacher in Wallowa County for 32 years and always said that she grew to love every student who went through her class.
She married Vic Cronin Sept. 5, 1942. He managed the Boise Cascade lumber mills in Joseph, Elgin and La Grande. When he retired, the couple moved to La Grande. They were married a few months shy of 60 years at the time of Vic’s death.
On spring and summer evenings, Jane and Vic could often be found fishing on Wallowa Lake or enjoying a round of golf. They truly enjoyed their life together.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Vici Cronin and David Lindberg, and two grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in care of Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St., Enterprise 97828.
The Observer, Obituaries for the week ending May 19, 2007 – Published: May 19, 2007
Contributed by Dixie Ricker
Jane Cronin was the finest teacher I had in elementary school.
She studied each of her students and found where each student could excel. She then actively encouraged the student to pursue that area–beyond that which was required for completing regular assignments.
She found that I could read. By the end of fourth grade, she had me reading at a college level.
A big reason why I became a university professor was because of her encouraging me to read increasingly difficult passages, all during my fourth grade year.
I will be forever in her debt.