Elaine LaVona Cross

Elaine was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but spent her first fifty years of life in Iowa. She was raised in Charles City by her “folks”, Charles and Ruth (Hess) Cross, the youngest of their ten children, with seven older sisters and two older brothers.

She graduated from Charles City High School in 1947, and worked in various fields including bookkeeping, woodworking, organizing bowling leagues, and cooking. She was employed by Charles City Manufacturing from 1950-1960 and Comet Bowl from 1960-1969. She cooked at Bishop’s Cafeteria in Cedar Falls and Porky’s in Waterloo in the 70s. She spent a few years in Yakima, Washington in the 80s, prior to moving to Maine. She retired in 1994 after eight years as a cook and caretaker at the Thomas P. Smith House in Westbrook, Maine.

Elaine was a member of the VFW Auxiliary. After retiring, she spent 12 years in Mason City, Iowa, volunteering for the Democratic Party and crossing paths with many party leaders and future Presidents. She returned to Maine in 2007, renewing old friendships and forming new ones. In 2017, she embraced the Bahá’í Faith. Her last 5 years were spent in Rio Rico, Arizona, with her daughter and son-in-law.

Her travels took her to Israel and Ireland, places she never dreamed she would see. She enjoyed history and her endless bucket list took her to Washington, D.C, Presidential Libraries and Monuments, National Parks, historic sites, and Fenway Park to see the Boston Red Sox play. She loved music, reading, doing crossword puzzles in ink, playing cribbage, watching television crime shows, classic movies, and Jeopardy. She could tell a good joke or story, laugh at herself, and give as well as she got. She met life’s challenges with determination and a sense of humor and never lost the ability to see the world through eyes of curiosity and wonder.

She was predeceased by her parents, all of her siblings, two nephews, four nieces, and many close friends.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Linda (Cross) and Glenn Nerbak, and her (4th) granddog Winnie, as well as five nephews, four nieces and many great (and great-great) nephews and nieces. She treasured them all.

Heartfelt thanks go out to her stellar team from Gentiva Hospice of Green Valley: Nurses Linda Tamietti and Sylvia Charles; Aides Yulianna and Janelle Lilywhite; social workers Heather, Rhonda, Sarah, and Andrew; Chaplain John and staff for their excellent, loving care and support.

Love and thanks also to her southern Arizona and Maine Bahá’í families who opened their hearts and showed her many kindnesses over the years. Special thanks to young pals Christopher and Harlow for their friendship.

Donations or acts of service made in her honor to the charity (or Fund) of your choice will be most appreciated, as will prayers for the continued progress of her joyful, radiant soul.