Berenice Veronica Cranston

Berenice Veronica (McDonnell) Cranston passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026 at the age of 94. Berenice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Family and faith were the heart and soul of her being, with her loved ones constantly gathered by her bedside in her last days.

Berenice was born in Philadelphia, PA on April 4, 1931, the youngest of five children born to Harry A. and Mary Jane McDonnell. She was raised in the Brookland section of Washington, DC, and graduated from St. Anthony Catholic High School where she was captain of the cheerleaders and prom queen. Berenice worked as a secretary for the U.S. Navy Department until the birth of her first child.

She met the love of her life, Arthur S. Cranston, Jr. (Scotty), on a blind date and they married in January 1953. Scotty predeceased Berenice in 2017 after 64 years together. They were a stunning couple who loved to socialize and throw great parties especially on St. Patrick’s Day. Their favorite song was “I Remember April”.

Berenice enthusiastically and with great pride raised six children who were born within seven years and also found time to volunteer at her children’s schools. She was a stylish woman known for her creativity and eye for design. All of these skills were highlighted when she volunteered on the fashion show committee of the Montgomery County Association for Retarded Citizens (now known as The Arc Montgomery County) for 30 years and also served as chairman of the committee for two years. Berenice received an award for excellence in 1994.

Her family lovingly remembers her warm welcoming smile, enjoyment of time spent at the family beach cottage on the Chesapeake Bay, playing Charades and other games, her steadfast drive, her silly sense of humor and love of children.

Berenice is survived by her six children, Mary Kate Cranston (predeceased Thomas O’Toole), Sheila Grant (Peter), Scotty Cranston (Carla), Maureen Hearl (predeceased Bill Hearl), Tom Cranston and Theresa Mills (Artie); 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Family and friends may call at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 4101 Norbeck Road, Rockville, MD 20853 on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 for a visitation at 10:30am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Berenice’s name to The Arc Montgomery County, 7362 Calhoun Place, Rockville, MD 20855 or online at www.TheArcMontgomeryCounty.org