ANN M. CROKE

Ann M. (Sullivan) Croke, 72, of Fairfield, died July 27, 2010, in St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport. She was the wife of John P. Croke for more than 48 years.

Born in Boston, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Helen Sullivan. She grew up in Roslindale, Mass., and received her B.A. degree from Boston State Teachers College. She lived eight years in Villanova, Pa., before moving to Fairfield 36 years ago.

Croke worked 14 years at Mitchell's of Westport; volunteered at the Fairfield Women's Exchange; was a member of the Patterson Club, and taught CCD at St. Pius X Church. She enjoyed golf, reading, gardening and taking walks to the beach.

Family and friends say that she was giving of her time, valued conversation with others and always remembered friends and family with caring notes and letters.

In addition to her husband, Croke is survived by two sons and their spouses, John and Beth of Holliston, Mass., and David and Suzanne of Simsbury; two brothers, E. Michael Sullivan and his wife Toni of Melbourne, Fla., and Kevin Sullivan and his wife Suzette of Mansfield, Mass.; two sisters, Kathleen Leader and her husband William of Medfield, Mass., and Helen Sullivan of Peterborough, N.H.; an uncle, Edward Flynn of Peabody, Mass.; seven grandchildren, Jane, Pete, Annie and Jack of Holliston, and Charlie, Carolyn and Eddy of Simsbury; and cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will take place at 11:30 a.m. Monday in St. Luke Church, 84 Long Lots Road, Westport (directions to the church are at www.stlukewestport.com). Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Road, is in charge of the arrangements

At the family's request there will be no wake and private burial will be at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Croke's memory are requested for Swim Across the Sound, c/o St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport, CT 06606. To post an online condolence, visit www.shaughnesseybanks.com.