Kathleen "Kat" Cronin was a devoted mother and a dedicated volunteer in the small community that is trying to deal with her sudden and shocking death.

The Centerville woman was identified Friday as the driver who died in a Thursday night crash at Mores Creek near the High Bridge on Idaho 21 in Boise County.

All Idaho City schools were closed Friday as students, staff and others in the small Boise County town mourned the death of the 50-year-old elementary school classroom aide.

Former coworkers and friends spoke highly of Cronin, who leaves behind a husband and three children, including two who attend Idaho City schools.

"She was always very patient, very cooperative, and she would jump in to help. She was a problem solver," said Jamie Pilkerton, principal at Basin Elementary in Idaho City. "She put her heart into everything."

The way Cronin died was shocking. The cause mysterious.

She was reportedly on her way to an appointment in Boise at the time of the crash, which occurred shortly after 5 p.m. And for reasons that may never be known, she failed to negotiate a curve and her Subaru veered off Idaho 21.

When the car left the road, it slipped past the barriers along the rim of the reservoir. Unimpeded, the car traveled 200 feet before going over a rocky embankment and falling nearly 200 feet into the icy water of Mores Creek.

Ada County sheriff's investigators found nothing at the scene that indicated why she went off the road; there was no evidence of acceleration or braking.

The Ada County coroner's autopsy lists her time of death as 5:06 p.m., and the primary cause is listed as blunt force trauma. It was ruled an accident.

The community that loved her is left to wonder what could have caused the wreck.

Ada County Coroner Erwin Sonnenberg said Cronin had a history of migraines, but he said there is no way to determine if something like that was a factor in the crash.

The impact of Cronin's death was felt throughout Boise County on Friday because she was a person who was active not only in Idaho City schools, but in the community library and a group called Isaiah's Ranch that provides support to community youth.

"She just had a great heart," said Isaiah's Ranch director Michelle Alden, whose voice cracked when she spoke about her dear friend.

Alden said Cronin, who lived in Centerville, was a volunteer at Isaiah's Ranch camps, along with her husband and her children.

"Kat would cut people's hair... Every haircut she did, she'd donate the money for us to get a support center so we can offer counseling (to youth)," Alden said. "She'd give you the shirt off her back to help. She was always helping people."

Idaho City schools Superintendent John McFarlane said Cronin worked in the school district for the past nine years, working with a variety of kids, including preschool and special education students.

"She really touched the lives of a broad spectrum of students," McFarlane said. "She was one of those people who was happy all the time, always willing to help, but didn't want any credit."

Cronin's death is an added blow to a community still reeling from the death of a student less than a month ago.

School will resume on Monday, and grief counselors will be on hand to help the students and staff cope with the loss.

Katy Moeller: 377-6413