Maureen " Mo" A. Cronin

Former Mahoning County Common Pleas Court judge Maureen “Mo” Cronin, who died on May 6, 2018 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown.

Like the church that housed the Midlothian Free Health Clinic, Maureen was “Born in the heart of the city with a heart for the city” to John “Jack” and Eileen Sullivan Cronin.  Growing up on the West Side of Youngstown, she knew her calling was to fight for children and the rights of victims.

After graduating from Ursuline High School, she earned her degree in Social Work at Youngstown State University.  Upon graduation, she started her 30-year career in public service as a social worker at Mahoning County Children’s Service Board.  After realizing that she could be of greater service by possessing a law degree, Maureen attended the University of Akron School of Law and earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1986.

In 1988, then-Youngstown Mayor Patrick Ungaro made what she agreed was a “gutsy” move on his part by naming her City Prosecutor.  After serving six years as Youngstown’s first female City Prosecutor, she made more local history by being elected to the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.  Maureen became the first woman in Mahoning County elected to the general division of the Court of Common Pleas, an office she held until her retirement from the bench in 2007.

Maureen returned to public service as the Executive Director of the Midlothian Free Health Clinic, where she served for six years.  For her, the clinic represented a return to what she described as her “first love,” social work.  Her dedication to the community was perfectly aligned with the Clinic’s mission “to offer free, quality, primary health care to the uninsured living in the Greater Youngstown area.”

Maureen leaves behind her siblings Kathleen (Mickey) Conway and Jim Cronin, her aunt Betty Jane Fehrenbaugh, nieces and nephews, cousins, great friends, and Mill Creek Park.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers John and Bill; her long-time partner Virgil Malaska; her beloved dogs Sam and Simba; and her feisty cat, Figgy.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Santuccio Ricciardi and the staffs of Mercy Health Youngstown and Park Vista for their excellent care of Maureen preceding her death.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Church 1420 Oak Hill Ave. Youngstown, on May 26, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Rev. Edward P. Noga.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Fox Funeral Home 4700 Market St. Boardman.

Material tributes may be made in Maureen’s name to the Midlothian Free Health Clinic, P.O. Box 2965, Youngstown, OH  44511.

Family and friends may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary
and send condolences.

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