Marilyn Faith Cross

She liked her cats cuddly and her food hot. Our Mom's choice of epitaph shows how she took pleasure in the simple goodness of life, yet barely hints at her loving heart.

Born in Bakersfield to Alexander Bone and Ruth (Johnson) Bone, Marilyn Faith Cross grew up during the Great Depression in San Jose. Hard times made a strong and close family. Marilyn had fond memories of living in a tent camp in Wawona during the summer while her father operated an asphalt roller on the roads of Yosemite. She liked to draw, and early on developed an exquisite cursive hand, her letters and words flowing in a stream of turquoise ink from her fountain pen.

Marilyn first met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Cross, at Horace Mann grammar school in San Jose, but they only started dating in college at San Jose State. She graduated with a degree in education, and obtained her teaching certificates for elementary education. After they graduated from San Jose State, Marilyn and Bob were married in Fort Holabird, Maryland. They started their family in 1956, after Bob returned from serving in the Army in Korea.

Marilyn taught third grade in San Jose for several years before turning her attention full time to her family. She had a wonderful, wry sense of humor, which she inherited from her father. She could take a joke, and liked to joke, herself. She delighted in occasional mischief, such as canning her gloves at the end of her last day working at the cannery. A little gentle teasing was one of her pleasures.

Marilyn was destined to be outnumbered in a house of men. Despite this, Marilyn always took care of herself and her appearance, enjoyed quiet elegance, exemplified fine manners, and maintained her privacy and dignity.

Marilyn embraced a life of outdoor vigor and adventure when the family moved to Boulder, Colorado in the summer of 1965. Marilyn was the first to take up skiing, and was an accomplished downhill skier for 40 years. Colorado changed the family. When they returned to California in 1971, their eyes were turned towards the mountains. Over the years, Marilyn and Bob built two cabins on Ebbetts Pass in the Sierra, and made them their family home away from home.

Marilyn liked to entertain, and hosted a long line of family and friends over the years. There were many long hikes, picnics by the river, and days on the slopes, followed by pleasant evenings of conversation and music, always underwritten by her hard work and caring hand. She was the mover of our tides of school, work, and play-never complaining, always present, always kind and supportive.

Marilyn had a wonderful singing voice and loved music. She sang in the choir while at San Jose State, where she first sang Handel's Messiah. Marilyn loved listening to classical music on the radio, and enjoyed many seasons of the San Jose Symphony and Symphony Silicon Valley. She brightened our home with singing while doing chores and in the kitchen, in constant yet serene motion-everything on time, and in its place. Evenings found her paying bills and balancing the checkbook, while listening to Chopin or Brahms, with a beloved cat purring on top of the papers on the desk beside her.

Marilyn and Bob knew hard times growing up and into adulthood. They taught us persistence in the face of adversity, the power of positive thinking, and the importance of keeping open minds and hearts. Marilyn never had a negative word to say about anyone, and read the newspaper daily while yet remaining unperturbed. Never outspoken, she was warm and welcoming of friends and strangers alike.

Marilyn enjoyed travel and reading, especially biographies. After Bob retired from IBM, they traveled the world, visiting friends in Italy and exploring a dozen countries together. They sold their house in Saratoga in 1989 and moved to Riconada Hills in Los Gatos, where they spent 25 happy years together. Their last home together was at Saratoga Retirement Community, where Marilyn lived for seven more years after Bob's passing.

She was always appreciative of her friendly fellow residents, the caring staff and beautiful environment at SRC, and made regular forays into town to have breakfast with family, get her hair done, or pick up a bottle of white wine for her nightly glass. Music and books kept her company in her apartment, along with photo albums of her travels with Bob, and memories of good times with her family. She enjoyed regular visits and calls with her family, and rejoiced in the progress and adventures of her beloved grandson.

Bob and Marilyn were married 64 years. Their marriage was remarkable, and should be remembered and celebrated, not only for its strength and happiness, but for the joy and love they brought to others. The same is true of Marilyn, herself, for all of the lives she touched and made brighter.

The last of her generation, Marilyn was predeceased by her husband, Bob, parents, Alexander and Ruth, sisters, Marjorie and Barbara, daughter, Colleen, niece, Faren Miller Hanscom, and nephews Gary Corrin and Jeffrey Foskett. Marilyn is survived by her sons, Tim (Cheryll), Terry (Cindy), grandson Cole, nephews Alex (Darnell), Bill, and Garth (Eleanor), and nieces Janet (Gary) and Lyn (Terry). The love she gave and taught to us will echo down generations.

Her ashes will be committed to rest in the Sierra, following a private memorial.

Love you bunches.