Kral, Cathleen M.

Cathleen M. (Cronin) Kral, 77, of Wellfleet, formerly of Canton, passed away March 11 in a tragic fire beside her husband of 53 years, Ferdinand (Fred) L. Kral, Jr.

Born in Boston, she was raised in Mattapan and attended Notre Dame Academy. After graduating from Emmanuel College with a BA, she traveled to Europe, which began a life-long love of travel and other cultures. Upon her return to home, Cathleen and Fred got married and had three children.

Cathleen went on to complete her master’s degree at Northeastern nights while raising the kids, and attained a second master’s degree from Leslie College in education. She and her husband Fred, with their adventurous spirits, packed up three children under the age of 8 and moved to Europe to teach in the American International School in Barcelona, Spain. After three years of teaching in Spain they were recruited to assist in the opening of the American International School of France in Nice, on the Cote D’Azur. Returning home after five years, she began her early professional career in the States teaching for the Milton and Dedham public schools and went on to serve as the director of literacy for the Boston Public Schools before retiring.

After retiring she worked as a consultant for WestEd for many years. Cathleen’s deep knowledge of schools, teaching, and learning, and her wonderful networking abilities greatly contributed to the national growth of a teaching and professional learning model called Reading Apprenticeship. She was a member of countless professional organizations: NALC, ASCD, NSDC, NCTE, MTA, etc.

Cathleen and her husband Fred loved spending time with their children and grandchildren. She was an avid entertainer and loved hosting her many friends and 41 first cousins for all occasions. She had an insatiable thirst for learning and teaching. She dedicated her life to education. She was also no stranger to fashion and of course was rarely seen without a hat.

Beloved wife of the late Ferdinand L. Kral, Jr. Mother of Ferdinand L. Kral, III “Nando” and his wife, Patricia, of Whitman, Joseph “Jody” Kral of Wellfleet, and Cassandra C. Kral-Dillon and her husband, Stephen, of Canton. Grandmother of Cameron and Erin Kral of Whitman. Sister of the late Michael Cronin.

Visiting hours at the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street, Friday, March 22, from 4-8 p.m. Funeral Mass in St. John the Evangelist Church in Canton Saturday, March 23, at 10 a.m. Your favorite hat is not required but know that Cathleen would want you to wear it. Burial private. Donations may be made in Ferdinand and Cathleen’s memory to Room to Read at www.roomtoread.org/literacy-girls-education/literacy/. For guestbook, see dockrayandthomasfuneralhome.com.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Mar 22 2019. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.