Sad news from the U.S.: Writer Pranas Mašiotas's granddaughter Baniutė has died

Baniutė Marija Mašiotaitė Kronienė, the granddaughter of renowned Lithuanian writer, educator, and public figure Pranas Mašiotas, has passed away in the United States. Members of the Society for the Preservation of the Legacy of Pranas and Jonas Mašiotas remembered her as a devoted daughter of Lithuania and a beacon for the global Lithuanian community.

She was lauded for her dedication to safeguarding her family's cultural and historical heritage, including the Lithuanian language and cultural memory. Her decision to unconditionally gift her parents' estate in Lithuania to the nation was highlighted as a noble act of love for her homeland. The society expressed deep condolences to her family, relatives, and the entire global Lithuanian community.

Mašiotaitė Kronienė was the daughter of educator Jonas Mašiotas, an author of mathematics textbooks, and Veronika Mašiotaitė. The Mašiotas family was forced to flee Lithuania for the West in 1944 following the Soviet occupation. Baniutė eventually settled in the United States but maintained strong ties with Lithuania throughout her life.

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We express our deepest condolences on the passing of Baniutė Marija Mašiotaitė Kronienė, a faithful daughter of Lithuania, a prominent light of the global Lithuanian community, and an honorary member of the Society for the Preservation of the Legacy of Pranas and Jonas Mašiotas. The deceased guarded Lithuanian identity, language, and cultural memory as if it were a sacred fire. Her spiritual greatness and noble decision to unconditionally gift her parents' legacy to Lithuania will remain as the noblest sacrifice of love for the Fatherland. In this difficult hour, we extend our sympathy to her family, loved ones, relatives, and the entire global Lithuanian community.

One of her most significant contributions was the transfer of her parents' property in Kačerginė, Lithuania, to the Society for the Preservation of the Legacy of Pranas and Jonas Mašiotas in 2005. This included four plots of land and a house, ensuring the family's legacy would be preserved in their homeland.

A memorial Mass for Baniutė Kronas will be offered for the repose of her soul on August 15th at 4 p.m. Vilnius time (8 a.m. U.S. Central Time) at the Blessed Jurgis Matulaitis Church in Lemont, Illinois. The community is invited to join in prayer.

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JOIN US IN PRAYER