Amherst, Mary F. (Cronk) Walker, 93, died peacefully August 30, 2014 at the Center for Extended Care of Amherst. 

Mary was born in Fairfax, Missouri, May 31, 1921, the fourth of fourteen children to the late Arthur and Marie (Friend) Cronk.

They moved to Glencoe, Oklahoma when she was young.  Having lived through the Great Depression and dust bowl in very difficult conditions, she never forgot what it was like to be poor and hungry.  In her late teens she worked as a mother’s helper and cleaned houses in Oklahoma City while studying to become a beautician.  There, she met Pvt. John Walker, during World War II.  She joined the Women’s Army Corps in 1943.  John and Mary had a military wedding at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky on August 4, 1943.  Mary was honorably discharged from the WAC in 1944 and moved to Massachusetts to live with John’s family while he continued his military service.  They moved to Amherst in 1946 and bought their home in Pelham in 1950.

Mary was a caring, giving person who hosted Fresh Air children, college students, and fund raisers to build the Pelham Public Library at her home.  She enjoyed many activities such as traveling, crafts, cooking (especially apple and blueberry pies), square dancing, and later in life volunteer reader in Pelham Elementary school.  She was a Cub Scout den mother when her children were young.  Mary was very actively involved and the longest member in the United Wesley Methodist Church. 

Mary was predeceased by her husband, John of 60 years in 2003, her son-in-law, Morris Dwight and 12 of her siblings. 

Mary leaves behind her children, Elizabeth Dwight, Robert, Charles (Carol Kramer), Margaret MacDonald (William), and Daniel (Rebecca).  She had six grandchildren, James, Michael, Jenny, Steven, Amanda, Hayleigh, Cole and seven great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be Saturday, September 6, 2014, at 11:00 AM, at the North Valley Cemetery on North Valley Road, Pelham, Massachusetts, a memorial service and reception will follow at 1:00 PM at the United Wesley Methodist Church at 98 Maple Street, Hadley, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Pelham Library, Pelham Historical Society or the United Wesley Methodist Church.

The family of Mary Walker wishes to thank the Center for Extended Care of Amherst staff for the loving care provided to Mary.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.