Aileen Frances Cronan, (née Shields), 89, passed away on Sunday February 22, 2026, in Olathe, Kansas.
Aileen was born in New Rochelle, New York on November 3, 1936, to Joseph Michael and Helen Rita (née Kuhn) Shields. She was the youngest of six and was doted on by her older siblings Joseph Jr., Helen (Sissy), William (Billy), Ann, and Elizabeth (Betty). She attended St. Catharine’s School in Pelham (her kindergarten classroom had 72 students! With ONE nun as their teacher!) Aileen continued to Pelham Memorial High School where her academic and athletic accomplishments were many. Her Class of 1954 senior photo lists her many accomplishments and a summary “All-around Athlete; that lovable grin; Summers at the Shore Club; When Irish Eyes are Smiling; All-Stuyvesant Gal”. She received her diploma from Brockport State Teachers’ College in 1958 and started her career as an educator teaching physical education at Harrison High School.
In the winter of 1958, she met the love of her life, Jerome Joseph Cronan Sr., while on a ski trip to Lake Placid, New York organized by their mutual friends. Aileen, concerned about attending mass on Sunday morning, was knocking on doors in the ski lodge looking for anyone else who was planning on going. Jerry piped up and said he’d be happy to take Aileen to Mass as long as they went to the early Mass so they could be the first ones on the lift when the slopes opened. This was the beginning of their life together. They were married on June 10, 1961, and celebrated 59 years of marriage before Jerry’s passing in September of 2020.
After the wedding they settled into their carriage house apartment in Scarsdale, New York. They soon welcomed Elizabeth Ann in 1962, Martha Helen in 1963, Jerome Joseph, Jr. (Jay) in 1965, Moira Aileen in 1966, and Kelley Marie in 1967. In the early years, Aileen and Jerry moved with their growing brood from Scarsdale, NY to Mount Laurel, NJ to Salem, NH to Oakville, Ontario, Canada (with summers spent camping at Hoover Park in Puslinch, Ontario), and finally landing in Overland Park, Kansas on July 7, 1977.
As a stay-at-home Mom, Aileen was able to give ALL her attention to her children. She was also afforded the opportunity to enjoy some of her interests like performing with the local Sweet Adelines, synchronized swimming (the Aquabats), and started sharing her time and talent by volunteering in her church (teaching CCD), and working at a halfway house helping former prisoners transition from incarceration back into the community. She even took on a part-time job working at Centennial Pool as a lifeguard and Red Cross WSI swimming instructor. She (and Jerry) modeled kindness, compassion, and altruism to her children. She was a Rockstar!!
When her children were in Jr. High and High School, Aileen went back to school and earned her master’s degree in special education from the University of Kansas. She was very proud of the work she did on her master’s thesis titled “The Development of Quantitative Measurement Procedures to Measure the Fine Motor Skill, Release, in Severely Multiply Handicapped Children”. Her first employer after graduation was United Cerebral Palsy. She found her true calling! This was her gift. Her passion was working with her babies at UCP. Aileen finished her career working for Shawnee Mission School District as a classroom teacher at Katherine Carpenter Elementary School where she worked with special needs children.
In retirement, Aileen continued serving others, including volunteering at her church, Catholic Charities, Keeler Women’s Center, and at Villa St. Francis. She and Jerry had the opportunity (twice) to travel to Honduras to support Holy Spirit’s sister parish, Santa Gertrudis. She also enjoyed golfing, traveling the world with Jerry, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Aileen was preceded in death by Jerry (2020), her husband of 59 years, her daughter Kelley Marie (1993), and her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her children: Betsy Malkus (Jim) of St. Louis, Missouri; Martha Kauffman (Matt) of Kansas City, Missouri; Jay Cronan (Kim) of Lenexa, Kansas; and Moira Vogt (Bill) of Roeland Park, Kansas. Grandchildren: Stephanie Malkus, Lindsey Malkus, Christopher Malkus (Danielle), Ryan Kauffman, Rachel Kauffman, Molly Vogt Seiler (Jacob), Emma Vogt, Patrick Vogt (Ciara), Jordan Cronan, and Jerome Joseph Cronan, III. Aileen is also survived by her precious great-grand-children, Miles, Margot, and new baby Malkus arriving soon!
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, March 4 at 10:00 am followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am and will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (11300 W 103rd St, Overland Park, KS 66214), Rev. Justin Hamilton officiating with Rev. Aaron Waldeck as the concelebrant. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made in Aileen’s name to FIRE https://firefoundation.org/donate/ or EMBRACE https://embraceks.org/support/. Both organizations champion the inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic education. With her passion for special education, this mission was near and dear to Aileen’s heart.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the nurses and staff at Santa Marta for their compassionate, gentle, and loving care.
And a special thanks to the Ascend Hospice Team for providing comfort, dignity, and peace to Aileen and our family during her final days.