Laurie Ann Cronin

Laurie Ann Cronin born July 28, 1956 passed away peacefully at Francis House, Syracuse, NY surrounded by her family and friends.  Laurie’s began life in Tarrytown, NY as a part of a large Irish family under the loving guidance of her parents, David and Caroline Cronin.  They nurtured their offspring with a sense of self-acceptance and belonging, encouraging them to become their best possible selves and to cherish life and to love and support each other as individuals within a community of others. 

Laurie is predeceased by her parents, David and Caroline Cronin, and her two sisters, Kathleen Cronin and Caroline Lochyer.  She is survived by her husband, Stan Fornal, her son, Nathan Miles Cronin Fornal, her siblings Kevin, Brian (Kim), Paul (Carol), David (Katie), their many offspring and the extended family of Charlotte Mangs.  She will also live on in the hearts of countless friends, neighbors and colleagues who were all touched by her gentle kindness and loving touch.

The family moved to Madison, CT where Laurie finished her senior year of High School in a new community and began her journey toward becoming an artist in mind, body and soul, blossoming in the creative arts of painting, dance and self-expression.  She and her brothers shared a passion for sailing and the sea which led them to new adventures on Long Island Sound and beyond. She was never more content than being on the water and when once again on land, dancing in the sand.

Laurie started college, took a quick hiatus, and eventually enrolled in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University as an Illustration and Painting major.  After spending a year in the arts immersion program in London England she returned to the USA to finish her BA in Fine Arts in 1982.  She also met her future husband and they committed to each other as forever partners, though it would take them twelve years to make it official (1992).   Their only child, Nathan Miles Cronin Fornal, was born in 1994.  The apple of her eye/keeper of her heart, Nathan Miles, also a graduate of Syracuse University (Whitman College of Business) with a degree in Finance, is laying down new territory in the world of Finance as a Trading Analyst at Capital group/American Funds and new tracks in the world of music as a DJ extraordinaire in Los Angeles, CA.

After college, Laurie went to work as a graphic designer.  A decade later, when creative work moved onto computer screens, she successfully taught herself a completely new medium.  In 1999, she became Art Director for the SU Alumni Magazine.   Under her artistic guidance, the magazine won an award for a distinctive cover that commemorated 9/11.  Laurie designed the Syracuse University “Block S” though she modestly and rarely shared that distinction.  She remained with the magazine until it was reorganized in 2016. 

As a graphic designer, she captured the beauty of people and world around her with a unique eye while never losing perspective on what really mattered.  When her sister-in-law wrote two young adult books, Laurie created pen and ink drawings that brought to life both characters and boats along the seashore.  An active sailor in the double-handed Comet class at Cazenovia Yacht Club, Laurie taught young Nathan to sail on a single-handed sunfish.  She loved being outdoors in any season and embraced living a healthy and active lifestyle. 

Her favorite things were to “share a meal” with friends and family, give toast to life, listen to the sounds of music and nature, and dance as if there were no tomorrow.  She was a devoted mother, partner, and friend in whose quiet, gentle and kind presence you always felt safe and appreciated without judgment, artifice, or reservation.   She genuinely cared about everything and everyone in her life; her friendship and love were cherished by all who knew her.  She truly was an Angel of the Earth, with a caring smile and her bright Irish eyes lighting up our days.

The family would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to Francis House/Hospice and SUNY Upstate Cancer Center (Dr. Siva. MD and staff and 10-East) for all the caring and compassionate care provided through her long and arduous battle with Metastatic Breast Cancer.  In her honor, any donations to these two wonderful organizations are welcome and appreciated.

Farewell to this wonderful woman whose grace and kindness will live on forever in our hearts and minds.  

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