Lavina “Joyce” Cronin passed away peacefully at her home on Jan. 21, 2024.

She was born Nov. 28, 1931, in Marcola, Ore., to Joseph and Edna Queen. She was the third child after Vivian and Grant, her brother, Bruce, followed six years later.

The first four years were living in a logging community called Fisher’s Camp outside of Marcola. Her brother Grant and her were very close, barely one year apart. They were pranksters and loved being together in just about everything they did.

Around 1935 the family moved to Ryderwood, Wash., as her dad was a logger and much of his family were there. She told many stories of the logging life and the company store.

About 1938 they moved back to Marcola. When she was about 15 her family came to Drewsey to hunt, camp and visit with family. She met the love of her life, Pat Cronin. They wrote letters for about a year before Pat got in his Jeep and drove to Marcola to court her. 

They were married in August of 1948 in Eugene at the Lane County Courthouse. Her father asked Pat at the door if he really wanted to do this because he could turn and run like hell if he wanted to. There they began their life of love, laughter, life journeys.

In October of 1949 their first son, Joseph, arrived. Their second son, James, arrived in December 1952, and daughter, Candace, in June of 1955. Their family was complete.

Around 1954 Pat decided to move the family to Burns and Hines to better their lives and went to work at Edward Hines Lumber Company. Joyce was a homemaker and loved being home but decided to go to work to help the family and took a job at Burns Union High School as a cook in the kitchen. Around that time, they were approached by the Robertson and Marshall families of Drewsey to see if their sons could board with them to attend high school. So, Rod, Ralph, and Randy along with Gary Marshall came to live with them. They became part of the family, practically becoming sons to them. Having five to six boys and one girl in the family became entertaining at times. Many memories were made and to this day they are like family.

Joyce continued to work at the high school until December 1968 when they moved to Tenmile, Ore. Joyce took a couple years off work and then decided to go back to work and got a job at the grade school in Winston, Ore. She eventually became head cook there and retired in 1992. She wanted a year off before Pat retired and they moved back to Eastern Oregon where they had always wanted to be.

After retirement they took many trips traveling to many places in the United States. They traveled the Alaskan Highway to Dawson City, Yukon. Also North Carolina where her family was from as well as Montana, South Dakota, Arizona, and the Midwest where they ended up being in the tail end of a tornado.

Joyce spent 23 years at the ranch in Drewsey with Pat before he passed away. She then moved to Hines to be closer to her children.

The last seven years she enjoyed traveling with her children and good friend Lynda Fine. Her travels took her to Arizona, Mexico, Reno, the Oregon Coast, and the East Coast where she was able to see the Atlantic Ocean and dip her toes in it. She loved to travel and spend as much time with her children, and grandchildren as well as friends. She loved to hunt, fish, and camp out. If she could sit by a campfire and be with family and friends, she would be happy.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, Vivian, and brother, Bruce.

She is survived by her brother, Grant Queen, and wife, Joanne. Her children, Joe and Gay Cronin, Jim and Darlene Cronin, and Candy and Kim Tiller. Her grandchildren, Bobbi Jo and Bryan Heany, Corrie and Dan Hopper, Tara and Lucas McLain, Heather and Kevin Harter, Ty and Anna Cronin, Dirk and Tami Cornell, and Mindy Tiller. Her great-grandchildren, Owen, Paige, Liam, Kale, Hayden, Breyer, Max, Josie, Sam, Marc, Nate, Harlen, Maylee, Henry and Cru. Her great-great-grandchildren Addie, JoJo, and Gannon.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Drewsey Community Hall at noon. A potluck will follow, and all are welcome.

Donation in her memory can be made to the Drewsey Cemetery or Meals on Wheels.