Verna Catherine Cross, 78, passed away on March 4, 2013, at her daughter's home in Thousand Oaks, Calif. She was born on August 7, 1934, in Stockville, Neb., to Harry and Sarah Callan. Verna grew up in Hastings, Neb. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1951, at the age of 16. After high school she began working for Pepco in Washington D.C. as an administrative assistant where she worked for 20 years. Once she moved to the Conejo Valley in 1973, she volunteered as a room mother at Park Oaks School where she spent her time teaching students how to read. This was a great point of pride for her. She went back to work in 1975 and over the following years she was a bookkeeper for Joe's Tire Center, Rubber Duck Tires and Auto Center, and Norwell Plumbing. She retired in 1991 due to breast cancer. Verna married Daniel Cross in 1952. They were married for 42 years. Verna enjoyed gardening, word puzzles, detective shows and country music. Her gardening specialties were African violets and hydrangeas. Everyone that knew her marveled at Verna's green thumb and she enjoyed teaching her grandchildren how to plant vegetables in the garden. She was a long-time fan of country music, and in particular Patsy Cline. Verna was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel; her father, Harry Callan; her mother, Sarah Callan; her sister, Carol Becker (her best friend whom she affectionately call "Jim"); her sister, Denelda Ackerman; and her brother, Harold Callan. Verna is survived by her son, Greg (Blanca) Cross of Oxnard; her daughter, Cathy (husband Mike) Monzo of Thousand Oaks; her sister, Connie Callan of Stafford, Va.; her loving grandchildren, Tiffanie (husband Dave) Nason of Westlake Village and Michael Monzo II of Thousand Oaks; and her many nieces and nephews whom she loved very much. The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Mazur and Dr. Barry Statner for their compassion and excellent care. The family would also like to thank Lisa Teevan R.N. and all the wonderful staff at Assisted Home Hospice for all their dedication and support to our family during this difficult time. The family will be greeting friends and relatives at a private celebration in Westlake Village. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation in memory of Verna Cross. These donations can be made by going to www.aamds.org and clicking on donate.
Published in Ventura County Star from March 10 to March 13, 2013
