Emily Richey Cronoble

Emily Richey Cronoble passed away on Sept. 26, 2023, at the age of 87. She was born in Long Beach, California, on Oct. 9, 1935, to parents Katharine Ellen Hynson Richey and Robert Nathaniel Richey. Being a native Californian, she became an avid swimmer and beach lover. During her 18 years spent in California, Emily became an excellent flautist and played flute in both band and symphony. The love for music persisted throughout her life. She had the enviable ability to listen to a musical piece and then, within minutes, was able to play her flute to the music. Those who knew Emily knew so long as she was humming, singing or listening to music, she was happy.

Emily and her father were dedicated mineral collectors and, at every opportunity, the family traveled to remote California and Arizona locations to scour abandoned mine dumps and outcrops to discover a multitude to collectible specimens. Geologists envied her many examples of exotic minerals. This hobby lasted throughout her life.

In the fall of 1953, during Emily’s senior year in high school, the family moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, when the Phillips Petroleum Company transferred her father to Bartlesville. The move for this young lady was traumatic and frightening. California friends convinced her she was moving to a place where Indians continued to use bows and arrows and that she would soon be scalped. Even though this rumor was soon put to rest, the move to Oklahoma from her beloved California was a cultural shock to the beach girl who had lived by the ocean for so many years.

Emily’s homesickness for California soon disappeared, especially after meeting William Ralph Cronoble in a speech class. From that meeting forward, they dated, were a couple at the Senior Prom and, after graduation, attended the University of Oklahoma. They were married in Albuquerque, New Mexico (where her family had again been transferred) on Aug. 25, 1956, between their sophomore and junior college years.

After marriage, Emily gave up the quest for a college degree and devoted her energy to working to help pay the bills so Bill could continue with his education. In 1958, William Randal joined the family and brother Robert Ralph was born in 1961. She was a true trooper and followed Bill where the geological jobs took them: Salt Lake City, Denver, Bartlesville, and finally to Billings.

As a mother of two boys, Emily was the stabilizing influence in the Cronoble family. Never was a holiday ignored and she became an accomplished hostess to the many golf tournament parties held in the home. Over time, the family grew with grandsons Brian, William and David and granddaughters Michelle, Amanda (Will) and Crystal. Seven great-grandchildren, Justin and Phoenix Cronoble, Gabriel, Michael, Ethan and Samantha Trejo, and Demetrius McGill rounded out her family.

Family was a first priority with Emily. Volumes of medical advice and recipes inundated her children and grandchildren, always sent with love. She wanted nothing more from life than happiness, good health and success for her family. She loved the many and frequent trips to the High Lakes of the Beartooth Mountains to fish for Brookies and Golden Trout. So far as family was concerned, husband, sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Emily was truly one of God’s Earth Angels. She never swore or spoke poorly of others, always looked for the good in every situation and every person, was totally unselfish, had a smile and hug for everyone and unconditionally loved life and family. There is a huge hole left in the Cronoble family with her passing. Emily is missed by those who were fortunate to know her.

In compliance with her wishes, burial has taken place in Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park. There will be a graveside service at a later date for family only.

Anyone wishing to remember Emily may do so by donating to her favorite charity, the Montana Rescue Mission, PO Box 3232, Billings, MT 59103-3232, or to a charity of choice.