Aleen Cross

Aleen Cross Aleen Cross (July 23, 1924), resident of East Lansing for 49 years, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2010, of natural causes, mostly attributable to Parkinson's Disease. The daughter of a Presbyterian minister and his wife, also devoted to the church, Aleen adopted her faith and love for family early. These remained her essential defining qualities throughout her life. She was a gentle, emotive, thoughtful, compassionate person; always giving, never taking; always helping but never expecting anything in return; always half-full, never half-empty. She began her adult life as a nurse, in which capacity she met her future husband, Aureal, in a Pittsburgh, PA, hospital. They were a devoted couple from that time forth. She was the chief cook, bottle washer, rock wrapper, psychological counselor, master of arms, team leader and champion for her family. Although gentle, unassuming and never one to force her ideas onto others, she knew and taught right from wrong, acceptance and embracement instead of prejudice and bigotry, forgiveness instead of revenge, that hope trumps despair. After her kids were no longer her direct responsibility, she returned to nursing practice at Sparrow Hospital ICU/CCU for over 15 years. She was a soft-spoken leader in all the churches of which she was a member. During her 49 years membership in the First Presbyterian Church, Lansing, she enabled several important programs, including co-chair of the sesquicentennial committee, co-founder of the history committee, Christian education, participant in youth mission trips, and facilitated development of the library. In the community, she was active with Meals-on-Wheels and Capitol Area Literacy Coalition. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Aureal T. Cross, Professor Emeritus of Geology and Botany at MSU, her children, Timothy (Margaret), Jonathan (Nicolette), Christopher (Nancy), all of Denver, Colorado, Christina (Cliff) Collier of Austin, Texas, Cheryl (Richard) Bowman of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, her brother, Charles (Mary Lois) of West End, North Carolina, and 14 grandchildren who benefited from her love and gentle guidance. The memorial service is at First Presbyterian Church, 510 E. Ottawa Street, Lansing on Saturday, May 8, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to the First Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund or a charity of your choice. On line condolences may be made at: www.gorslineruncimaneastlansing.com