Theresa Jane Cromwell

Theresa Jane Cromwell, 73, of Independence, MO, passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday
January 21, 2023. She was born in Kansas City, MO on January 25, 1949, to Frank (Red) and Beatrice Maasen.

To know Theresa was to love her and to be loved by her. And to say that she loved life is an understatement. She was a tiny ball of fire and light. She was a fulltime career mom while studying in college while also being a dedicated caregiver for her parents during their last decade on earth.

She was an ever-present amazing Nani to her two grandkids and was the sunshine of their lives. She set out to attend all their activities, no matter what personal battle she was fighting. She was the first to wake up at 5:00am for morning fishing with the boys, always had her special chair ready in the driveway to watch them jump ramps and tear up the yard, and made sure the garage freezer was overflowing with twelve kinds of ice cream. She was known as Nani to their friends and school community, even serving on their PTA board. Theresa was always there for anyone who needed her and lit up any room she was in. The sound of her voice could carry far and her laugh was infectious.

She was once the employee of the year at Swope Ridge Nursing Home before starting her career at Children’s Mercy Hospital. She later advanced her career to HR director at Children’s Mercy Hospital which she proudly called home for 35+ years and always remembered you and your name. She took pride in being highly involved in employee activities, holiday gatherings and helpful chats in her office. She also sat on the advisory board for the city of Independence for over 15 years and was recently re-elected as the chairman. She loved sprint car racing, lacrosse, motocross, basketball, baseball and football as long as it involved her three boys. She also loved reading and going to book club with the girls, water aerobics class, collecting rocking horses and racing memorabilia of her favorite driver. Her spirit will be celebrated, and she will be dearly missed.

Theresa is survived by her loving husband of 49 years Lee Cromwell, son Michael (Leslie) Cromwell, two
grandchildren Braydon (Rachel) Cromwell and Jax Cromwell, sister Mary Wirtz, two brothers Patrick
Maasen and Frank Maasen, as well as countless nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Beatrice Maasen, sister Anna Brisbin, and brother
Paul Maasen.

A visitation will be held to celebrate Theresa from 5-7pm on Thursday January 26, 2023 with a service starting at 10am on Friday January 27, 2023 both being held at Speaks Suburban Chapel (18020 E 39th
Independence, MO 64055). She will be laid to rest following the service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

If you’re also an avid reader, you can make a donation in her honor to Turn the Page KC, a local non-profit to aid in youth reading proficiency. https://turnthepagekc.org/donate