Katherine Mary (Villamaino) Cronin passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family on May 26, 2018 after a courageous 5 year battle with Metastatic Breast Cancer. She was 54. Born in Springfield on April 8, 1964 to the late Enrico Sr. and Carmella (Zuccala) Villamaino, Kathy was raised in East Longmeadow and attended East Longmeadow public schools.
She was a graduate of American International College and earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. Kathy’s education enabled her to pursue her passion for teaching and mentoring the young. She touched the hearts of and provided loving guidance to countless children in western Massachusetts throughout her career in the East Longmeadow, West Springfield and Southwick school systems.
Steadfast and determined, yet selfless in all she did, her proudest accomplishment in life was being able to share with her husband David in the raising of her only child Thomas, whom she adored and was extremely proud of. Kathy enjoyed spending time with family and friends as well as vacationing during the summer, preparing home cooked meals, entertaining for the holidays, going to the casino & concerts and playing cards – particularly pitch on Thursday nights with her sisters and cousins. She loved watching the New York Yankees with her son Thomas and she wanted him to know that she’ll be at all the Yankees games with Papa to share in a grand old time.
Kathy is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, David Cronin, her son Thomas Cronin of East Longmeadow and his girlfriend Stephanie Ferreira of Ludlow, siblings Teresa Lalli of Feeding Hills, Enrico “Ricky” Villamaino, Jr. and his partner Nancy Raduca of Enfield, CT, Vincent Villamaino and his wife Anne-Marie (Borden) of Hampden, Margaret Pietroniro of Springfield and David Villamaino and his wife Teresa (Raby) of East Longmeadow as well as many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by two brothers in law Sergio Bruno Lalli and Luigi Joseph Pietroniro. David and Thomas would like to extend special thanks to Kathy’s siblings as well as family members Gary Villamaino, Richie Chelli, Jeannie Giovanini, Joanne Nichting, Nancy Gagnon, Nicole Stratton, Anna Calvanese, Dena Calvanese, Madison Villamaino, Katie Villamaino and Teresa Villamaino for the countless hours they spent with Kathy over the last 8 months providing love and support for her on a daily basis.
As well, the entire family would like to thank Dr. Grace Makari-Judson and the staff at the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care for the quality and compassionate care they provided for Kathy over the past 5 years. In addition, the family would also like to extend their sincere thanks to Carolyn, Deb & Maria from Baystate Hospice for the loving and compassionate care they provided for her these past few months. Family and friends may meet for Kathy’s Funeral Mass on Friday, June 1st at 10:00 AM at St. Michael’s Church, 128 Maple St., East Longmeadow.
Burial will follow in Springfield Street Cemetery, Agawam. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 3:00 – 7:00 pm at Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd. , Wilbraham.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Kathy’s name may be made to the Carmella R. Villamaino Scholarship Fund, c/o Monson Savings Bank, 15 Somers Rd. , Hampden, MA 01036.
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