Joy Newby Cronk

Cronk—Joy Newby Cronk, 94, on August 13, 2020, at Medford Leas Retirement Community in Medford, N.J. Joy and her twin sister, Gail, were born on May 17, 1926, in Des Moines, Iowa, to James and Bertha Newby.

Joy’s childhood was spent in Des Moines, where her father was pastor of a Friends programmed meeting. In 1948, she graduated from William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. During the years immediately following graduation, Joy was employed by libraries in Oskaloosa; Richmond, Ind.; and Minneapolis, Minn.

Joy met Elwood Cronk during the summer of 1955 while Joy was a student at Pendle Hill study center in Wallingford, Pa. They married in 1956 at Des Moines Valley Meeting. Two years later their son, Alan, was born. Joy was a skilled homemaker.

Joy and Elwood were active members of Lansdowne (Pa.) Meeting; Middletown Meeting in Langhorne, Pa.; and Wrightstown Meeting in Newtown, Pa. In 1995, Joy and Elwood moved to Woolman Commons at Medford Leas Retirement Community in Medford. They transferred membership to Mount Holly (N.J.) Meeting.

Friends remember Joy as a capable contributor to many events. She was always willing to supply food for dinners and share her skills as a seamstress for children’s programs. She is remembered for her sense of humor and laughter, her common sense (which she attributed to her Midwest upbringing), and her organizational skills. Over the years, Joy served as office manager of American Friends Service Committee in Des Moines; registrar for Friends General Conference in Philadelphia, Pa.; and was clerk of four committees at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

Elwood died on December 31, 2008. In addition to her husband, Joy was preceded in death by her sister, Gail Newhall; and brother, Richard P. Newby, a Friends pastor. Joy is survived by her son, Alan Richard Cronk (Joti Sekhon); and one grandchild.