Alice Cronin
July 18, 2020
Alice L. Cronin, 68, passed away July 18, 2020, at Mercy West Lakes. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa, to Derrell and Patricia (Paulsen) Shipley. She was married to Dennis Cronin for 36 years, prior to his death in 2006.
Throughout her life, Alice never lost her childlike faith and was a mom to not only her own children, but many others. She ran an in-home daycare for a number of years. When her sons were grown, she worked as an administrative assistant in the tutoring office at the University of Missouri – Columbia. For the last 13 years, Alice worked as an administrative assistant, or “Dorm Mom” as she liked to call it, at Drake University. She enjoyed spending time with family, especially her four grandchildren, more than anything, but she also thoroughly enjoyed being around the students she saw daily in her job at Drake. Working with young people was one of her passions.
She also spent numerous hours volunteering her time with various political campaigns around the Des Moines area.
Alice is survived by her sons, Harold (Kelly) Cronin and Matthew (Jennifer) Cronin, her four grandchildren: Tyler, Kenny, Kate, and JD, as well as her sister, Rhonda (Gordon) Caylor; her brother, Rodney (Beth) Shipley; her brother, Derrell Mike (Lynne) Shipley; her sister, Debra (Steve) Schultz; three nieces, and seven nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dennis; her father, Derrell; and her mother, Patricia.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Lutheran Church of Hope for its VBS, an event Alice enjoyed every year. Include: “VBS – In memory of Alice Cronin” in the memo line.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Cheryl Slaven
08/04/2020
Harold, Kelly and family, & Matt, Jenn and family,
We were saddened to hear about your mom passing away. We have so many wonderful memories of the many times we spent with her, and she will be missed a lot. We pray that you will find comfort in the many treasured memories you have of her, and may God give you comfort at this most difficult time. She lives on in you, and will always be remembered by all the lives she has touched.
Our deepest sympathies,
Kent and Cheryl Slaven & daughters
Betty Alber Barwick
07/26/2020
Deb, Rhonda, Rod & Mike-
So sorry to read about your sister Alices passing. Sounds like she was an amazing woman!
God Bless ??
Steve Cox
07/22/2020
Thank you dear cousin for being there for my Mom. Sounds like there are many others that also benefited from your kindness. I will miss our banter on Facebook. God bless.
Steve Blaylock
07/22/2020
I was fortunate enough to have worked with Alice for many years at Drake. She loved her kids in Stalnaker and was a great friend and colleague to share grand baby stories with. You will be missed Alice...
Shelley jackson
07/22/2020
I had the the pleasure of meeting Alice when she moved into her apartment directly across the hall from my sister and I. From the instant we met, we loved Alice! We shared New Years Eve celebrating the new year, and spent many hours just visiting with each other. I knew Alice less than two years but it felt like a life long friendship from the beginning. She will be greatly missed and forever in my heart.
Kaitlyn Cooper
07/22/2020
I was lucky enough to work with Alice in Stalnaker Hall at Drake University for 3 years. I was new to Des Moines and Alice helped me to feel like I had a family and place that I belonged. She did that for every single student who stopped by the front desk. She always had a listening ear and kind word.
I'm thankful to have met Alice and so sad she was taken from us so early. I look forward to seeing you in heaven one day, Alice!
Cookie Moran
07/22/2020
Alice and I were colleagues n the residence halls at Drake - she in Stalnaker, I in Carpenter. I was fortunate to have known and worked with her for the past 10 years. I will now start the new class year without her and will miss her terribly and the conversations we would have had. It is terribly sad, also, the new students coming to live in Stalnaker will never know the wonderful person she was and how much she loved and cared about students.
Nicki Cochran
07/22/2020
My sincere sympathy to my cousins, Rhonda, Rod, Mike and Deb and Alice's sons and families. My thoughts are with you. May God send you comfort to know she is with Him.
Mea Kring & Miss Daisy
07/22/2020
Our sincerest sympathy to the Cronin, Shipley family. It was a pleasure meeting and speaking with Aunt Alice in VA. May the LORD comfort you all during this time. Our prayers go out to you.
Therese Tutupalli
07/22/2020
Our sincere sympathy to the Cronin and Shipley families. Alice joins her Lord, and is reunited with her beloved Denny. She cared deeply for others, and was always ready to lend a helping hand. She adored her sons, daughters-in-law, and her grandchildren. She has left many wonderful memories. With love from your Provo cousins.
Judy and Peter Buckley
07/22/2020
Our sincere sympathy to the Cronin family for their loss. We hope you will treasure the memories of Alice. Remember how much she loved her family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Isaac Mintzer
07/21/2020
Alice was a special person. She truly was our Drake mom. I will never forget all the wonderful conversations we had where she would speak fondly of her family and community. When I had too many preservatives, i was not sure what to do with them. Upon asking Alice for her advice she volunteered to take them and drop them off at her church as a donation. This anecdote shows the kind of character she was to me: caring, supportive, and eager to help. She will forever have a spot in my heart for all she has done for me, my friends, and the Drake community.
Liz, Geoff, Josh and Amelia Miller
07/21/2020
You have our deepest sympathy. Love to you all.
KB Butler
07/21/2020
Alice had a major impact on my life. My first year at Drake was a rather difficult one and she was ALWAYS there to talk to me about whatever was going on. It felt like I could tell her anything and I lost count of how many times Id end up late to class after taking with her. Alice helped me feel like a stronger version of myself and believed in me when it all felt hopeless. Thank you for sharing Alice with Drake. She impacted anyone she talked to.
Linda St. John
07/21/2020
Could never have imagined Alice would leave so soon. God bless you Alice and your family. You leave a vacancy larger than you could have imagined.