Paula Jean Cronan

Paula Jean (Ney) Cronan, age 98, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025, at the Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. She was born October 24, 1926, in Lakefield Township, Luce County, to William and Ada (French) Ney. Paula graduated from LaSalle High School with the Class of 1943 and later married Gerald Fredrick Cronan on July 27, 1946, at the Old Mission Church in St. Ignace. Together, they built a life rooted in love, adventure, and family. She remained a proud resident of St. Ignace for eighty-five years. A woman of energy, grace and adventure, Paula was a certified Scuba Diver, treasure hunter, avid swimmer, cross-country skier, and yoga enthusiast. She could be seen walking around town well into her nineties. She was an accomplished sailor and taught herself to play the harmonica. She played Taps graveside for her Veteran husband and son on Memorial Day each year. Paula traveled abroad with her daughters and delighted in the simple joys of life, whether it was walking the beach in search of beach glass, playing Cribbage, Scrabble, or figuring out difficult crossword puzzles she always loved a challenge and good competition. She was hard to beat and so were her legendary no-bake cookies. Her love of nature, exercise, and family left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Paula was the beloved mother of ten and is survived by her children, Kathleen (Peter) Everson of Brevort Lake, Michigan, Mary (David) Carlson of Kingsford, Michigan, Jean (Terry) DeSelms of Brentwood, Tennessee, James (Carol) Cronan of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Margaret Madagame of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Patrick (Barbara) Cronan of Grand Rapids Michigan, Thomas (Sandra) Cronan of St. Ignace, Timothy (Susan) Cronan from Troy, Michigan; and her sister, Carol Howdyshell of Ithaca, Michigan. Paula was preceded in death by her husband Gerald; son, Robert Cronan; daughter, Karen Cronan; grandson, Ashley (nee: Corp) Nylund; sisters, Delta Perry, Muriel Painter, and Phyllis Ahlich; and brothers, Guy Ney, Elmer Ney, Donald Ney, Earl Ney, Harold Ney, Gerald Ney, William Ney, and Kenneth Ney. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Family Life Funeral Home, 999 South State St., St. Ignace, Michigan. Visitation will take place from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM with a eulogy and shared stories to honor Paula’s life to follow at 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ball Hospice House, 308 W. 12th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, the Mackinac County Community Action Agency (Meals on Wheels), 524 Ashmun St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, or the St. Ignace Community Foundation, PO Box 88. St. Ignace, MI 49781. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com. Obituary as submitted by family.

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Paula Jean Cronan

October 24, 1926 - September 1, 2025