Jeanne Marie Ford Poliachik Cross

We are so privileged to have been a part of the life of such a kind and graceful soul! Jeanne Marie Ford Poliachik Cross, was 84 feisty years old when she passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 16, 2021. Born Oct 19, 1936 in Buffalo, New York to Edward Henry Ford and Frances Dean Marie Adams Ford Cullen she was the youngest of seven children.

Jeanne graduated from Mount Mercy Academy in Buffalo, NY in 1954 and then attended Erie County Technical Institute where she graduated with an Industrial Chemistry degree in 1956. Jeanne married Robert (Bob) G. Poliachik in 1957. They reared four children, Nancy, Robert, Sandy, and Paul until Bob’s untimely demise arrived, leaving Jeanne as the sole support for her children.

Jeanne carried on with a career with IBM in both Software Support and Technical Writer. At this time Jeanne also attended Hood College, Frederick MD where she obtained her BA in Information Systems in 1988. Jeanne married Clarence Eugene Cross in 1994. Sadly, Gene passed away suddenly, leaving Jeanne just as she retired from IBM in 1998.

Jeanne’s lifelong desire to “help people” manifested itself as she joined the Peace Corps in Poland, 1999-2001. Jeanne continued to give back to many ministries at St. Andrews Roman Catholic Church in Apex, NC. She worked with the Literary Council of Wake County and volunteered with the Apex Chapter of English as a Second Language training.

Jeanne loved being at the beach and surrounded by her family: children Nancy Micky), Bob (Darian), Sandy (Melissa), Paul (Cindy), especially her grandchildren, Jenna, Callie, Justin, Bretta, Kasey, Shelby, Sam and George and great grandchildren, Logan and Rhylen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:45 am on Thursday, Sept 23, 2021 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Apex. In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to Haiti Goat Gifts by sending checks to: St. Andrew’s Catholic Church (memo: Haiti Goat Project/Jeanne Cross) .