Shirley Kay Cronin

Shirley Kay Sandino Siu Cronin, of Bedford, Texas died of pulmonary complications on the evening of May 9 at the William P. Clements, Jr. University Hospital in Dallas. A visitation will be held the 13th day of May from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. with a rosary service at 7:00 P.M. at Moore Funeral Home in Arlington, Texas. Her funeral service will be held the 14th day of May at 11:00 A.M., in Bedford at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, followed by a reception. After the reception there will be a family interment at Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington, Texas.

She was born December 13, 1932 in Bluefields, Nicaragua, a small east coast town. Shirley graduated from the Moravian School where she enjoyed theater and music. She moved to the capital city of Managua in 1952. She worked as a bilingual secretary for IBM, the American consulate, and the International Geodetic Service, which led her to meet her husband of 62 years, John W. Cronin who was then in the US Army. Later, John went to work for Bell Helicopter, where the growing family on several international assignments throughout Central and South America before eventually settling in Texas in 1968. Shirley took classes through the University of Texas at Arlington, honing her natural musical ability, later sharing that love for music with students, children, grandchildren and the Sonata Club. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, as well as special trips all over the world with her cousins and friends.

Shirley is preceded in death by her loving mother, Rosita; her Aunt Winnie Chamorro who raised Shirley after the death of her mother; her sister, Toni Siu Rolison; her cousins, Marion Chamorro and Zitzie Schroeder; and her granddaughter, Brietta. She is survived by her husband, John; children Natalie Bentley (Keith) of Irving, TX, John (Ruth) of Omaha, NE, James of Bedford, TX, Joseph (Missy) of Wichita Falls, TX, Jason (Deborah) of Annapolis, MD, and Jeffery (Terri) of Edmond, OK; as well as 17 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind many loving relatives and friends all over the world. She will be lovingly remembered by all as a beautiful lady, a wonderful mother, a gracious hostess, and a second mother to many.

In lieu of flowers the family asks only for prayers and support during this time of remembrance and celebration of her life.