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Mary A. Cronley, age 88, of Reynoldsburg, OH, formerly of Park City, UT; Longmont, CO; Kalamazoo; and Sturgis, died on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at her home.
She was born November 23, 1937 in Auburn, Michigan, the oldest daughter of Thomas M. and Beatrice D. (Trudeau) Sheridan.
Most of Mary’s life was spent in Michigan. She attended St. Joseph Elementary School in Auburn, and St. Joseph High School in Bay City. She attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids on academic scholarships, working her college summers on the SS South American, a cruise line on the Great Lakes. Also while at Aquinas College, she met Joe Cronley. As their relationship developed, Mary decided to transfer to Western Michigan University where she could earn a teaching degree, graduating in 1959.
On August 15, 1959, she married Joseph J. Cronley in Kalamazoo. She taught math and French at Millwood Junior High School in Kalamazoo in the early 1960s. Over the course of the next 30 years, Mary ran the family household, staying home to raise her 7 children while living in Hillsdale, Battle Creek, and Sturgis. Wherever she lived, she was involved in her children’s schools, in leading efforts in the Pro-Life community and in her Parish community. She was involved in altar societies, bowling leagues, and bridge groups. She was a role model for many and could cook for a crowd whether it was for her own 7 kids and the 7 Goethals kids, for a Notre Dame tailgater, for the enormous numbers of relatives at the Cronley’s ‘consumption junction’ up north at their cabin or just when an extra kid or two stopped by the Cronley house around meal time. When her husband Joe had a stroke in 1985, Mary decided she needed to “get her act together.” Over the course of the next three summers, she went back to school for her Masters in Education from the University of Dayton. Mary was the principal at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Bronson and the principal at Immaculate Conception School in Three Rivers for the better part of 15 years.
In 1999, Mary moved out west to Longmont, Colorado, where she became principal at St. John the Baptist Catholic School where she significantly expanded the school in size, scope, and performance. She knew no one in the area, but quickly became a part of their community and made life-long, world traveling friends along with thoroughly enjoying the Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park area. Upon her retirement in 2006, she moved to the other side of the Rockies to Park City, Utah, to be closer to at least one of her children. She became active in St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, and also in the community, volunteering at the St. Lawrence Thrift Store, the PEO and Holy Cross Ministries. Mary always took great pride in her children and her grandchildren, often telling her friends and acquaintances that they were her true “wealth”. Recently, Mary was asked for words of wisdom and she replied, “Look around at these walls (full of pictures of her family, her children & grandchildren and also many pictures of Jesus and Mary). Surround yourself with these.”
Surviving are her children, Maura C. Palmer, Grand Rapids; Sara C. (Greg) Leaver, Arvada, CO; Brigid C. (Kyle) Greening, Clive, IA; Joseph T. (Kelly) Cronley, Park City, UT; John M. (Suzanne) Cronley, Phoenixville, PA; Patricia M. (Luke) Woods, Pickerington, OH; Thomas J. (Tracey) Cronley, Camarillo, CA.; Grandchildren – Matthew (Ady) Palmer, Michael (Jasmine) Palmer, Heather Palmer, John Greening, Anne Greening, Katherine (Nate) Yencer, Erin Greening, Joseph Brewer “JB” Cronley, Elise Cronley, Clare Cronley, Katherine Cronley, Anna Woods, Cecelia Woods, Dominic Woods, Marin Cronley, Bennett Cronley; Great-grandchildren Liam Palmer, Layna Palmer; Brothers – John (Donna) Sheridan, Michael Sheridan, Peter Sheridan; Sisters – Mother Mary Quentin Sheridan RSM, Rosemarie (Jerry) Matuszak, Anne (Allen) Olech, Cecelia (Mark Dubay) Walbridge, Regina (Kevin) Brown; Sisters-in-Law – Bertha Sheridan, Vicki Sheridan; many nieces and nephews and Joe’s siblings – John (Colleen) Cronley, Christine (Alan) Mimms and Thomas (Phyllis) Cronley, as well as Priscilla Swiat.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; her great-granddaughter, Madalynne Palmer; her parents; her brothers – Joseph Sheridan, Paul Sheridan, James Sheridan, Gabriel Sheridan; her sister – Brigid Denton; her sisters-in-law – Carlyn Sheridan, Marjorie Sheridan; and her brother-in-law – Timothy Walbridge. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time. Times will be posted as soon at information is confirmed
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Mary’s favorite non-profit organizations: Religious Sisters of Mercy, 1965 Michigan Ave., Alma, MI 48801, Holy Cross Ministries, 860 E 4500 S, STE 204, Salt Lake City, UT 84107 or Right to Life of Michigan P.O. Box 901, Grand Rapids, MI 49509.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
