Surrounded by the family she so dearly loved, Ann Cronin Dunn, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2026, in Roseville, California. She was an only child, born in the middle of the Great Depression on February 27, 1935, in Eureka, Utah to Daniel and Myra Cronin. Eureka was predominately a mining town, but her father wanted a different way of life than mining. They moved to Reno, Nevada where he accepted a job as a skilled machinist on the railroad. The Depression brought scarcity and rationing, so she learned to appreciate the value of hard work and savings.

Her parents sent her to parochial schools where she excelled. In high school, she studied in the family car while waiting to pick up her father from work. It helped, as she graduated as valedictorian from Bishop Manogue High School and received a four-year, Harold’s Club scholarship to the University of Nevada, Reno. At UNR, she was active in the Tri Delta Sorority and the Newman Club. She graduated with a BS in Education and married her college sweetheart, Robert E. Petrini. They enjoyed four years of marriage before Bob died, just one month before the birth of their daughter, Andrea. Ann was strong and resilient, her faith in God never wavering while she completed a teaching credential and master’s in counseling. She worked as a teacher and counselor at Sparks High School in Nevada while her parents helped raise her daughter. Her strength and determination to overcome adversity made her a unique and excellent counselor and teacher.

Ann was beautiful, both inside and out. She was intelligent, kind, and a faithful servant of God. Her laugh was infectious and made everyone smile. Later, she married James A. Dunn and moved to Willows, California. The birth of their daughter, Jane, brought much happiness. Ann was a teacher and counselor at Willows High School. She also taught at Butte Community College and the Butte County Office of Education. She earned a second master’s degree in Guidance Counseling and Career and Vocational Education. She was an outstanding Regional Occupational Program teacher who made a difference for hundreds of students by helping them prepare for and obtain meaningful on-the-job training and jobs.

Ann participated in community events and organizations such as 4-H, Girl Scouts, the American Heart Association, Soroptimists, and American Association of University Women. A lover of dogs, she and Jane raised a guide dog. She loved the hot weather, swimming in her pool, gardening, and baking. She made the most beautiful pies and desserts and never hesitated to eat a bit of dessert first before a meal.

She and her family enjoyed many adventures traveling around the world. She was also “mom” to three Japanese exchange students.  

Widowed again in 1980, she always carried the responsibilities of parenthood with remarkable courage and devotion. She worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for her daughters while surrounding them with unconditional love and stability. Based on her own life experience, she had a strong belief in the value of education and being prepared to persevere through life’s inevitable challenges. This served as the foundation of her lifelong work as an educator.

Ann retired in Gold River, California where she enjoyed golf, piano, and her two dogs. She served as President of the Gold River Villagers Club, volunteered at Shriner’s Hospital for Children, and was an active member of Our Divine Savior Catholic Parish.

She found immense joy in her grandchildren who were the light of her life, Caroline Grinder (Blake) of Roseville and Joseph Cirrincione of Washington, D.C., attending their sporting events and celebrating their accomplishments with great pride.

Ann is survived by her daughters Andrea Petrini Dunn (Robert Barnes) of Chico, California, and Jane Cirrincione of Roseville, her grandchildren, and many close family members and friends who will forever treasure her memory. She was preceded in death by Robert E. Petrini, James A. Dunn, and her parents Daniel and Myra Cronin.

Ann’s legacy lives on in the family she adored, the students she encouraged, the friends she uplifted, her example of resilience, and the countless lives made brighter by her kindness, wisdom, and humor.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Clare Catholic Church in Roseville, California, on May 29, 2026, at 10:30 am, followed by a Celebration of Life. In honor of Ann, the family welcomes memorial donations to the American Heart Association and Shriner’s Children’s Hospital of Northern California.