Mary Ellen (Strout) Keen

Mary E. Keen (Strout), 88, of Mansfield Center, CT died on Sunday, March 1, 2020.

Mary was born in The Bronx, the second child and first daughter of John and Mary Strout. She lived in a nice home with her grandfather, grandmother, mom, dad and brother Johnny. Mary graduated from Aquinas High School at 16 years old. She went on to Secretary School after high school and then worked in banking with her Dad. Later in life, after many children, she was an outstanding bartender, real estate agent and broker. She loved cooking, antiques, old houses, dining with her children and helping anyone who needed a hand up. Mary always appreciated her family and the many numerous and humorous stories they shared.

She married Francis X. Cronin from The Bronx in 1951 and had eight children, six boys and two girls. Mary was predeceased by her son Keith Patrick Cronin, daughter Mary Ellen Dillon, and son-in-law Jeffrey F. Smith. She is survived by six children, their spouses, and her grandchildren. They are: Francis X. and Annie Cronin and their children, Kristine, Micki and Molly; Keith Patrick’s widow, Donna Hein and two children, Jessica Cronin and Michael Fleming; Stephen G. Cronin and his children Alexis, Kelly and Stephen, Jr.; Shawn M. and Merilda Cronin and their children Jennie, Bryce, Rachel, Keith, Emily, Mary and Danny; Robert W. Cronin; Kathleen M. Smith and her children Crystal, Joshua, Lance and Sean; Mary Ellen’s widower, Matt Dillon and their children Tessa, Deirdre, and Samantha; Thomas F. and Anita Cronin and their children Jaclyn, Ryan and Megan. Mary also is survived by 18 great-grandchildren and counting.

Mary was a beautiful woman throughout her life. She was smart, funny and caring.

Mary’s family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, March 5, 2020 from 5:00-7:00pm at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. Willimantic, CT 06226. Her Funeral Mass will be on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 10am at St. Mary Church 1600 Main St, Coventry, CT 06238 with her burial following at St. Mary Cemetery 386 Main St, Coventry, CT 06238. To sign an online memorial guestbook visit www.potterfuneralhome.com

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