Alice Elizabeth Cross

About

Deltona High School Manhattan College Nova Southeastern University

Alice Cross Obituary

CROSS, ALICE ELIZABETH, passed away on Wednesday May 20, 2009 at the age of 66. She was born on October 19, 1942 in Staten Island, NY to the late John and Alice O'Brien. Alice was involved in education her entire life, both as a student and as a teacher. She graduated from St.
Joseph Hill Academy, Staten Island, received a BA from Mount St. Vincent University, a MA from Manhattan College, and her EdD from Nova
Southeastern University. As a teacher for over 38 years enjoyed teaching at Volusia County Public Schools, and cherished her years at Deltona Lakes Elementary School as well as Pine Ridge High School and Deltona High School. In her retirement Alice enjoyed substituting at Leesburg High School to have contact with our youth, "our next generation of leaders". Through-out her career Alice received many awards for her achievements in education, and was also very active in various PTA organizations on the local and national level. She enjoyed traveling, camping, reading, and worked very hard to promote environmental causes. She is survived by her husband Alexander A. Cross of over 38 years, two sons Alexander (Melissa) Cross of Bradenton, FL., and Jonathan (Toni) Cross of Wesley Chapel, FL. She is also survived by four grandchildren, two brothers Kenneth O'Brien of Staten Island, NY., and Timothy O'Brien of Dingmans Ferry, PA. as well as many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother William O'Brien. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday May 26, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. in St. Paul's Catholic Church, Leesburg with Fr. Mark Wegg officiating. Friends and family may call at the Page-Theus
Funeral Home on Monday May 25th. from 5-7PM. In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorials in Alice's honor be made to Cornerstone Hospice or am Environmental Club of your choice. Page-Theus Funeral Home 914 W. Main St Leesburg, FL

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Orlando Sentinel on May 22, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Alice Cross

7 Entries

Corey D.

January 27, 2025

Dr. Cross thank you for being so kind to me. I was a misunderstood young man. You encouraged me to join chess club. I loved it. I was later diagnosed with Asperger's. I always did well in class however, I excelled at Chess which gave me a common ground with others children. Thank you so much for your time and love.

Sarah MacConnell

August 26, 2009

I just recently heard about Dr. Cross' passing. I cried and cried when I heard the news. She was the single most influential teacher that I ever had. She taught me at Deltona Lakes in the early 90s. I went to her for gifted enrichment. She empowered me as a shy little girl and taught me that it is okay to be smart. She helped me find my voice. I remember her seeking me out to work on the Sand Pine trail. I was scared to death, but that experience of leading tours and teaching younger students gave me confidence. She inspired me by teaching me that doing what you love doesn't have to feel like work. I believe that is what led me into non profits and my very fulfilling career at the American Cancer Society. She went beyond her role as an educator. She taught me more than I ever could have learned in a classroom. She touched my life as a small quiet little girl in the back of the classroom. She saw that there was more to me and she brought it out. I will always be grateful to her for helping me to grow into the woman I am today.

I will miss you, Dr. Cross. Thank you.

Claire Instasi

June 1, 2009

Alex,
I was so sorry to hear of Alice's illness and passing. She was a devoted educator and Child Advocate. I will cherish the memories of our years together at Deltona Lakes Elementary and our trips to National PTA Conventions in Atlanta and New Orleans to name a few! She was my mentor and my friend and I will always remember her. I pray that you and your sons will find comfort in knowing that she was well loved, admired and will be missed by her many friends.
Sincerely,
Claire McHugh Instasi

Bill (E-52C)(ret.) Hoke

May 27, 2009

Alex, I am sorry to hear of your wife's passing. I heard about it from Ron W. and feel bad that you had such a short time after finding out about her illness. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Mary Ann Sprankle

May 24, 2009

Dear Alice,
I can’t believe you’re gone – for some reason, I never received your email telling us about your illness. If only I had known what you were going through. If only I had a chance to talk, to “re-cap” the way that we’ve done for 47 years. You have been my friend for that long and I cannot let you go without a final “re-cap”.
I thank you for more than four decades of sisterhood, of a relationship that picked up wherever we left off. I thank you for sharing joy and pain, expectation and disappointment. We have been together from our time at the Mount when we prayed together, laughed together, played together, learned together and eventually left together.
We were together on the Upper East Side of New York discovering who we were and where we fit in. Who could forget our trip out West and the great adventure it became for two twenty-some-things during a summer of freedom and fun? Laughter was a gift we shared about our experiences. That laughter was rekindled so many times over so many years.
We shared our marriages – yours lasted mine didn’t! We shared the joys of having our children. How you glowed with pride over your sons, Alexander and Jonathan and later with their wives and your grandchildren who brought you so much joy! You shared my joy in finding the man with whom I would share the rest of my life in my marriage to Terry.
You accomplished so much in life. In the field of education, you reached a pinnacle of success to be proud of. You were so dedicated to the political good and to the good of the environment. However, your true success is what you gave to your family and friends which was undying love and loyalty.
It was so good to reconnect and spend time with you and Alex. Terry and I enjoyed every minute breaking bread, spending time on your boat, exploring the waterways and getting to be with you. Being in your company was a gift I will always treasure.
My dear friend, I only wish we had one more conversation so I could tell you how much I love you and what your friendship means in my life. I wish I could have shared some of your burden. One more laugh, one more tear. I am sure that your family knows how much you meant to them. I want them to know what you meant to me and to so many others. You will live on in our hearts; we will never forget you – how could we?
Both Terry and I wish Alex, Alexander, Jon and their families peace and comfort.
Love,
Mary Ann Sprankle

May 22, 2009

To Tim
From your friends at work
Superior Distributors
May Alice RIP

fjohn reinke (mc1968)

May 22, 2009

The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself … any man’s death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results