Ardith Lakin Cronin

    Cronin, Ardith L., 90, July 27, 2011.
    WOODBRIDGE, VA – Ardith Lakin Cronin, 90, who spent more than three decades working as a public servant, died June 27 of breathing complications in the Hospice Center at Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge, VA.
    Starting in the early 1960s, she began a ground-breaking career in city politics, becoming the first woman to be elected on the city council. This successful tenure was followed by a long-standing association with the Regional Planning Commission. After being elected as the first woman chairman of this prestigious commission, she helped to create a master plan for Falls Church, VA, which has been a successful model for more than 30 years.
    Known to most as “Lady” for her class and style, she spent her life making others feel as if they were one of her own. This unique ability to connect with people has created a large world-wide extended family of people who considered her their mom as well.
    Lady was born in Massachusetts but soon moved to Houlton, Maine where she was raised under the watchful eye of her mother, Elizabeth Shaw Lakin. It was in the magical small town where she did extended work with the Camp Fire Girls and made numerous lifelong friends. She was a 1938 graduate of Houlton High School and a 1942 graduate of Bates College. She met her husband, Walter Cronin, during World War II, and they moved to the Washington, DC area and settled in Falls Church, VA.
    In addition to her famous (and never-ending) “to do” list, Lady enjoyed swimming, needlepoint, traveling, cooking, and watching after the world’s only perfect dog.
    Her extraordinary public accomplishments were often interrupted by her personal health problems, but she steadfastly continued to keep up with current events, city politics, and somehow managed to keep track of her huge family.
    Lady is survived by her two sons, Jefferson and  his wife, Diane, of Guam, Gregory of Falls Church, VA, and adopted son Paul and wife, Sally.
    She was preceded in death by her brother, John Lakin, and her beloved husband, Walter Francis Cronin. She was the granddaughter of the late Hon. R. W. Shaw of Houlton, Maine.
    Lady’s life was celebrated at a gala 90th birthday party at her beautiful retirement home at Westminster at Lake Ridge, VA on August 7, 2010. This party, hosted by her sons, was attended by her numerous relatives, adopted exchange students, and wonderful friends.
    The funeral will be on August 7. A gravesite service will be held at National Cemetery on Lee Highway in Falls Church at noon. This will be followed by lunch and a formal service at 3 p.m. in the Westminster Retirement Home Chapel in Lake Ridge, VA.