Nancy Eleanor Cross
Nancy Eleanor Cross, 91, died on Friday, March 9th, 2018 in Bellevue, Washington, surrounded by loved ones. From her birth in Parris Island, SC on October 4th, 1926 to her death, she inspired others with her kindness, intelligence, wit, faith and devotion to family.
Nancy was the third of four children and the only daughter born to Eleanor and Donald Spicer. As the daughter of a Marine, she moved frequently, and enjoyed many adventures in Atlanta, Haiti, Quantico, and more. Whether she was playing with tarantulas under the house, riding horses, or singing with friends, Nancy had a wonderful zest for life. She graduated from Coronado High School and attended Holton Arms in Washington DC. Later, she returned to Coronado. In a well-planned match-making effort, Nancy’s aunt conspired to introduce her to Richard Cross, a young engineer with two young sons. Cupid took over, and Nancy and Richard were married on March 13th, 1955 at her parents’ home in Coronado, CA. Richard and Nancy went on to raise a family of 6 children, moving from Coronado to Orange, CA, to Duxbury, MA, and finally settling for 43 years at their home in Alexandria, VA. Nancy worked in the library of Episcopal High School and later in the office of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Just two years before her death, Nancy and Richard moved to Bellevue, WA to an assisted living apartment near their youngest daughter. Nancy embraced and loved her new senior living community, as she had all of her friends and neighbors throughout her life.
Nancy’s loves and passions were many. She was devoted to the Episcopal church, sang in the choir her entire life, and was a lifelong member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, an organization her mother had led in the 1970s. She was smart and witty and could wrangle a crossword puzzle like the best of the best. Nancy loved her pets and all of nature’s creatures and we know many will think of her whenever they see cardinals, hummingbirds, sea otters, dolphins, and whales. Nancy also enjoyed gardening, and was forever in awe of any and all natural beauty. A highlight of her life was a trip to see and touch grey whales in the Sea of Cortez.
Honoring Nancy and remembering her love are her husband, Richard F. Cross III, her six children, Richard Cross IV, William (Shirley) Cross, Charley (Julie) Cross, Patrick (Marie) Cross, Carol (John) Phillips, and Anita (Joe) Donahou; seventeen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Her love, spunk, and sass will live on in them all. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Donald, Raymond, and Rolf, and by her infant son, Robert.
Funeral services will be held in the spring when Nancy’s large family can gather in her honor. Greetings and remembrances would be appreciated by her husband, Richard, at 15928 NE 8th Street, Bellevue, WA, 98008 and/or memorials may be made to the Episcopal Relief Fund or the Monterey Bay Aquarium.