Louise S. Cronin

Louise Cronin, 86, of Richmond, Texas, passed away Friday, December 17, 2010. Ida Louise Schackleford lived a rich, full life that started in Arkansas, on September 9, 1924. Parents, Jesse and Esse, proudly raised Louise and her three brothers, Cecil (Buddy), Tom, and Oscar on the farm they called home. Louise was proud to have been named 1941 Girls Basketball All-State from her Waldo High School team. Number 11's nickname on the court was "Tuffy." After briefly living in Texarkana, she moved to Houston and there, in 1947, married Timothy James Cronin, who, in 1981 preceded her in death. Louise was the loving mother to three chosen children: Anne, with her husband Harry; Michael, and his wife Dawna, and Kathy. She was a beloved grandmother to Rachel, with partner Tina, Lisa, and husband Dean; Robert, and wife Sara; Amanda, Haley, Shannon, and Shelby. She was a great-grandmother to Gordon, T.J. and Madelyn. Parishioner of Houston's Corpus Christi Catholic Church from the 1950s to the '70s, Louise helped found its school and established its library. She also volunteered to the area Little League and to Catholic Charities' Guild. Additionally, she was an active member of the Strake Jesuit High School Mothers Club. For a decade, Louise, beside her husband Tim, lived in Fulshear, TX, where she became a member of the Texas Appaloosa Horse Club. She was a donor and a director of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. She later split her time between her Pecan Grove home and her north Texas horse ranch, Barefoot Farms. For the past 28 years from her Richmond, TX home, Louise welcomed visits from her family and many dear friends. She was a member of Richmond's Sacred Heart Catholic Church. For their loving companionship to Louise, her family thanks her long-time friend and house keeper, Rozina Gardner, and her home caregiver for the past two years, Frances Knode, and, more recently, Hope Gomez. In honor of Louise's generous spirit, the family invites you to make a memorial donation in her name to the charity of your choice. There will be a visitation on Monday, December 20, 2010, 6-8 PM at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass officiated by Father Eric Patre, will take place at 11 AM, on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 507 South 4th St., Richmond, TX. Interment will follow in the Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery