Elizabeth Wynne Liz"" Cross (Hale)

Liz was born on June 10, 1926 in San Bernardino, California, to Rev. Edwin “Ted” E. Hale and Eva Miller Hale. She was the youngest of three daughters. Rev. Hale was a Nazarene minister and moved his family from California to Indian, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Liz was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Mary Ruth McClary and Evangeline Vickers.

From an early age, Liz showed an aptitude for music. Her sisters’ piano teacher volunteered to teach Liz for free, at age five, when Liz began trying to play on her own to keep up with her sisters. When the family lived in Kansas City, MO, Liz took piano lessons at the Kansas City Music Conservatory. Liz and her sisters performed as a trio, with Liz accompanying on piano, at church services, tent meetings and revivals. After Liz met her husband, Henry Cross, she accompanied him on vocal solos they performed at churches while in college.

At age 15, Liz stopped studying piano seriously in favor of trying her hand at writing. She mainly wrote poetry and essays and had a poem published in a book of religious poetry while still a teenager. Liz’s love of writing led her to major in English at Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) in Bethany, Oklahoma, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1949. Liz graduated magna cum laude. A highlight of Liz’s college experience was spending a year studying English at Eastern Nazarene College in Boston.

On January 1, 1948, Liz was married to Henry “Hank” A. Cross, in a double wedding ceremony with her sister, Vangie, and Caswell Vickers. The ceremony was performed by her father.

Liz held a variety of jobs working as a teacher, secretary and library assistant. She also earned a real estate license. Liz’s favorite jobs included: teaching two semesters of English at Bethany Nazarene College in 1953-54; serving as assistant librarian for the English Department at Ohio State University in 1958-59; working as secretary of the First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins from 1972-1979; and working as department head and secretary of the multiple listing service for the Fort Collins Board of Realtors from 1981-1983.

Liz and Hank lived in Oklahoma, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Texas, the Washington DC area, Alabama, Maryland and Colorado. They moved to Fort Collins in 1969 when Hank took a position as professor of experimental psychology at Colorado State University. When hank retired after 20 years of teaching at CSU, the couple lived two years in Mobile, Alabama, while Hank taught at Mobile College. Hank then accepted a one-year professorship at St. Mary’s College in Maryland. Liz and Hank returned to Colorado in 1992. While Liz loved living in Colorado, another favorite place for her was Springfield, Ohio. She thoroughly enjoyed living on the Wittenberg University campus for the three years that Hank taught there.

Politics was important to Liz. She helped with Dick Suinn’s successful campaign for mayor in 1977. She also loved working at receptionist to Congressman Henry S. Reuss in Washington DC in 1980-1981, while husband Hank, worked for the National Science Foundation.

Art, music, church and reading counted highly in Liz’s life. She filled her home with artwork and books. Liz and Hank attended Fort Collins Symphony concerts for more than 35 years. The First United Methodist Church was Liz’s church home for more than 37 years. Hank and Liz also belonged to a book club started by one of the ministers at the church for more than three decades.

Liz was a gregarious and exuberant, people person. With her big heart and generous spirit, she made friends easily and loved chatting, laughing, and “discussing” politics. Early in retirement, when she had more time, Liz sought out friends who needed extra companionship or help.

Liz lived life with zest. She was a bit of a character – full of enthusiasm, vigor and loveable eccentricities. Some neighbors nicknamed her “Leadfoot Lizzie” as she often zoomed out of the neighborhood late to an appointment. As all who knew her recall, her love of coffee, salt and her beloved furball, Piggle, defined her.

Sadly, Liz was stricken with dementia and ultimately, had to be moved to a nursing home. Liz’s family thanks the kind and caring staffs at Centre Ave. Health and Rehab and especially, the caring community at Golden Peaks Care and Rehabilitation Center, for helping Liz in the last years of her life. A special thank you also goes to caregivers from Home Instead and private caregivers DeAnn Smith, Debra Little-Brown, Danielle Brown and Sharon Seiler. Liz was truly fortunate to have so many exceptionally nice and compassionate individuals looking out for her.

Liz is survived by her husband of 64 years, Henry, of Fort Collins; daughter, Connie Fields and her husband, Derryl, of Berthoud; daughter, Terri Harlow, of Firestone and her fiancé, David Wood, of Lakewood; and son, Thomas, of Westminster.

A private, family memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in care of Resthaven to one of the following: First united Methodist Church or Fort Collins Symphony.

Please visit www.resthavencolorado.com to view Liz’s online obituary, sign the family guestbook and send condolences.