Mary Cronin Gawronski

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Mary Cronin Gawronski passed peacefully away at home on Monday, March 30, 2026, surrounded by family.

Mary was born June 19, 1934, to Patrick J. and Mary Foley Cronin in Olean, N.Y. She was always grateful for the family she was born into and the faith she inherited.

Mary graduated from Olean High School in 1952 and became a secretary until her marriage on Aug. 6, 1955, to Raymond W. Gawronski of Dunkirk, N.Y. He was the love of her life, her soul mate, her much better half.

Together they raised and educated nine children. Business promotions took the family from New York to Ohio, California, Maryland, Chicago, Houston and Salisbury, Md. Each move brought new and exciting educational opportunities for the children.

Ray and Mary retired in 1991 and in 1993 moved to the Landings of Skidaway Island, Savannah, as their final homestead.

Mary, rarely ruffled, had a household of happy rollicking kids, bubbly casseroles, a washer that never rested and everyday chaos. SHE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! She was the missing piece to all their puzzles and the glue that bonded them together.

Her legacy is the character of the men and women she raised. She volunteered at the children’s schools, later at the St. Joseph House in Salisbury and the Social Apostolate (now the Catholic Charities of South Georgia) and Inner-City Night Shelter in Savannah. She was also active at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, volunteering on the maintenance committee, altar society, parish council, Eucharistic Minister and parish council president.

Ray and Mary received the prestigious Gartland Award from Bishop Gregory J. Hartmeyer for their services to the community. She loved the Sacred Heart community.

Her survivors include husband, Ray; daughters, Mary Patricia (John) Short of Carrollton, Texas and Mary Cathleen (Steve) Sagin of Tucson, Ariz.; and sons, G. Timothy (Terri) of Gillette, Wyo., Gavin Michael of Austin, Texas, Jeffrey David (Julie Foster) of Sacramento, Calif., Michael Patrick of Dallas, Texas, Christopher Daniel (Patti) of North Richland Hills, Texas, Daniel Francis, who was with her in Savannah, and Brian Matthew of Los Angeles, Calif. Grandchildren include Amber Gawronski of Sheridan, Wyo., Ashley Gawronski of Nashville, Tenn., Brendan (Tori) Gawronski of Parker, Colo. and Ryan and Erin Short, Dallas; and great-grandchildren, Aiden and Damion Cone of Sheridan and Fox Gawronski of Parker. Mary is also survived by great friends near and far, the “Nine and Dine Divas” golf group; the “A” team at the Social Apostolate; and her Sacred Heart family.

Mary is predeceased by her parents; sister, Patricia (Patty) Cronin; brother, Jerry Cronin; and grandson, Daniel Raymond Gawronski.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday (April 16, 2026) at the St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Olean.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Catholic Charities of South Georgia, 501 Liberty St., Savannah, GA 31401; or Sacred Heart Church, 1701 Bull St., Savannah, GA 31401.

Our family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital, her physician Dr. Danielle Mankin, and Hospice Savannah for the care and compassion they provided in the final days and hours.