Melanie MacLean Cross

CROSS Melanie MacLean Cross, a founder of the historic preservation group Old Arlington Inc. and a community activist, died at her Jacksonville home Monday after a three year battle with cancer. She was 55. A rosary will be said at 9 am Saturday in St. Joseph's Historic Church, 4124 Loretto Road, Mandarin, where the funeral Mass will be at 10am. A reception will follow in the church's Cody Family Enrichment Center. Born in Jacksonville and reared in Arlington, Mrs. Cross moved to Mandarin in 2002. A graduate of Terry Parker High School, where she was named state high jump champion, she graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in Economics. At UNF she started the fencing club. Mrs. Cross had recently worked as a grants writer for Catholic Charities. She also served as executive director of Citizens for a Scenic Florida and was executive director of the Spina Bifida Association. Earlier in her career, she was with the Jacksonville Downtown Development Authority, where she helped establish downtown standards for historic lights and pavers, the formation of the IM Schulzbacher Center for the homeless and her work on the Mayors Performing Arts Committee for the Performing Arts. Melanie was passionate about her Scottish heritage; she lead her family to the gathering of the MacLean clan at Duarte Castle on the island of Mull in 2007 and was very active with the Northeast Florida Highland Games. In addition to her mother and father, Georgia and Don MacLean, her husband of 21 years, Richard B. Cross, two sons, Robert Angelieri and Adam Brian Cross, a brother James Paul MacLean, three sisters, Melissa Turner, Jan MacLean, and Marjorie MacLean and her aunts, Norma Kirby and Jean Yontz. The family suggests memorial contributions to Catholic Charities, 134 E Church St. Jacksonville, FL 32202. Arrangements under the direction and care of ETERNITY FUNERAL HOME, 4856 Oakdale Ave. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com