Christina Ruth Cronquist Kelleher
Christina Cronquist-Kelleher passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on March 30, 2019, one day prior to her 68th birthday.
Christina was born March 31, 1951 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was raised by a single mother, Ruth Cronquist, who worked tirelessly as a seamstress to provide for her only daughter. Though she had humble beginnings, Christina only ever talked about the love and devotion she received from her mother and family. As a child she developed an overzealous love for animals. Her family often joked that she knew people by their pets. At 8- years-old, Christina saved all of her babysitting money and walked by herself from the Avenues to Trolley Square to purchase her first kitten, Chio. Over the years she owned many pets, and would often rescue animals in need that she would find on the street. She was a proud pet parent throughout her lifetime.
Christina graduated from East High School in 1969 and quickly began working. She held multiple jobs at a time from being a secretary for various trade unions, to production line labor at OC Tanner. In 1980 she met her husband, Bill, at a social gathering in Holladay and in 1982 they married. Bill and Christina quickly began a family and Christina gave birth to her first son in December 1984. A devoted mother from the beginning, Christina created her own cleaning business in order to spend more time with her children. She had a fierce work ethic and often told her children, “The only way to properly mop a floor is on your hands and knees.” It is no doubt her business was successful not only for her attention to detail, but also because she treated people like friends rather than clients. Though busy with her own business and taking care of three rambunctious boys, she never missed any of her boy’s wrestling matches or important events. Christina often said her boys outnumbered her, but her family says, in reality, it took a house full of boys to keep up with her.
In the later years of her life Christina faced many health challenges, but she did not allow them to slow her down. Christina’s neighbors and friends were an incredible support network to her and her family during this time, and she valued these relationships greatly. The support for her children never waivered during this time, as she continued to attended weddings, graduation ceremonies, and all important life events. Her family misses her deeply, and will be forever grateful for the lessons of hard work, fierce loyalty, and love that she taught during her lifetime.
The Kelleher family would like to thank the staff at University Hospital in Salt Lake City for their kindness and the incredible care they provided to Christina during her last days.
Christina is survived by her husband Bill, and sons Ryan (Jaime), Sean, and Michael, all of whom loved her profoundly. If you knew and loved Christina, we invite you to come celebrate her life in her honor on Friday, April 5, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Stark Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building. To commemorate Christina’s vibrant and lively personality, we ask that guests wear colors to the wake.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Christina’s memory to the Humane Society of Utah.