Mary Sue Crone

Mary Sue Adams Crone

Mary Sue Adams Crone departed this life December 1, 2018, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. For 57 years, Mrs Crone was the wife of William G Crone, retired CEO of Naples Community Hospital and the NCH Healthcare System.

She entered this life on May 22, 1934, in Akron, Ohio, eldest child of Colonel James Francis Adams & Mary Sue McKenzie Adams. She was valedictorian of the Class of 1952 at the Fukuoka American High School in Occupied Japan. At the University of Alabama, she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority, and attained her Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1957. She then moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she taught Physical Education at North Mecklenburg High School. She married William Gerald Crone on June 12, 1961.

Moving to Naples in 1966, Mrs Crone invested her time and energy raising her family and supporting their varied activities. She volunteered with Naples Community Hospital Auxiliary, and was an active booster of the Naples High School Marching Band, Naples High School Swimming & Diving Team, and the Collier County YMCA Swim Team. She also volunteered with the Girl Scouts of America, frequently acting as “Cookie Chair,” and eventually led the Gulfcoast Council. Mrs Crone was a driving force behind the establishment of Camp Cocohatchee youth camp in Bonita Springs. She also enjoyed travel, taking expeditions to Egypt, London, and New York to name a few.

Mrs Crone is survived by her husband, William Gerald Crone, and her 4 children: William Walter Crone (John Barcus,) James Philip Crone (Andrea Van Buren,) Paula Crone Snow (David Snow,) and Stephanie Louise Crone. She is also survived by her cousins, Philip Adams Zuiderhoek and Gary John Zuiderhoek, and her 6 grandchildren: Jacqueline Alexandra Crone (Andrew Brady,) Kevin Philip Crone, David Nathan Snow, Emma Mackenzie Snow, Kayla Suanne Dutcher, and Cassie Elizabeth Dutcher. Mrs Crone was preceded in death by her parents, her brother James McKenzie Adams, and her aunt Tillie Boyd McKenzie.

A memorial service will be held at the Arlington of Naples on Sunday, December 16, 2018, at 3PM. Her remains will be interred in North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family requests guests consider making a donation to The Parkinson’s Foundation or to the Girl Scouts of America.