**The Memorial Service for Karen Cronin will be held this Saturday, February 26, at 3 PM, at the Meadowbrook Center in Shawsville. If it is a pleasant day, the service will be in the building’s courtyard, otherwise it will be inside. There will be a reception inside following the service.**
It is hard for me to even start this. I just found out that Karen Cronin’s ashes will be brought back home on Tuesday or Wednesday. She will not be returning to us with her bright smile, quick wit, and tremendous insight into people and politics. Karen passed away following a snorkeling accident in Hawaii that happened on Friday. My sympathies go out to her family and friends.
I primarily knew Karen through the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County where she had been serving as 1st Vice-President. Her honesty, integrity, and passion for life have been and will continue to be a beacon for me.
Karen devoted herself tirelessly to many organizations that served the citizens of the New River Valley and beyond. The United Way Board, Social Services Board, League of Women Voters of Montgomery County Board, the League of Women Voters of Virginia Board, and the Mountain Valley Charitable Foundation will now all have some big shoes to fill.
In another light, her work in the community of Elliston has been inspirational. There she was involved in so many different organizations that it is hard to make sure I list them all so I hope readers will correct me on anything that I miss here: EastMont Garden Club, Arts Association, and Tomato Festival. Karen was also the 2009 Heirloom Tomato Queen.
I cannot say much about her tennis game other than she traveled the country competing. Her stories of her travels held a great deal of entertainment for those with whom she shared them.
Karen was, and in the memories of those who knew her will remain, a vibrant vital force of nature who juggled life’s demands with life’s joys in a way that few people ever manage to achieve. She set an example of living life to the fullest and committing herself to public service and the community, that few will ever exceed. However, we can all but try. I ask that any of you who can make a commitment to giving 40 hours worth of your time this year to something that is important to your community or to those activities which Karen gave her time.
Karen’s presence will be missed but her inspiration and contributions will live on! Thank you Karen.
For some additional information: http://eastmontva.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/remembering-karen-cronin/ and http://lwvmcva.org/
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