Sally Manny Cross

Sally Manny Cross
formerly of Lunenburg, MA; 92

FALMOUTH, MA -- Sally Manny Cross, 92, beloved wife of 59 years of the late Norman Campbell Cross, Sr. of Falmouth, died peacefully in her home on July 17, 2015. She was surrounded by loving children, grandchildren, and close friends.

Sally was born and raised in Rye, New York, the second daughter of Ralph P. and Elizabeth C. Manny. She attended Rye Country Day School, Miss Hall's School in Pittsfield, MA, and Katharine Gibbs School in New York City.

At the age of nineteen, Sally was lucky enough to marry the love of her life, Norman, a cadet in the Army Air Force. In 1945 the couple settled in Lunenburg, MA, to raise their four children, Sallie, Pamela, Norman Jr., and Elizabeth.

Sally was a homemaker, an artist and a philanthropist. Throughout their lives together, she and Norm also added "world-travelers" to that list. They circumnavigated the globe and came back with countless stories and tiny mementos, filling the house with both.

Sally was a great believer in "direct action." She applied equal vigor to all who needed it, from supporting a single family fallen on hard times to funding major renovations and programs at many revered institutions.

One of Sally's philanthropic projects began in the tumultuous 1960's. She became aware that many underprivileged children in Fitchburg were left without needed recreation in the long summer months. Sally stepped in, creating the COOL (Care of Our Little-ones) Camp, and later COOL School. What began as a few outings turned into a forerunner of Head Start.

When Sally and Norm retired to Falmouth in 1974, they found new opportunities to act. Some of these were unfortunately born of tragedy. Their daughter Elizabeth's death at the hands of a drunk driver in 1977 spurred them to support Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Their son Norman Jr.'s struggles with mental illness prompted involvement with Fairwinds Clubhouse, a nonprofit that provides support to adults with mental illness.

In 1994 Sally became involved in the battle to preserve Historic Highfield Hall. The project was eventually successful; Sally and her fellow volunteers saved the Hall, providing Falmouth with a unique and beautiful landmark.

Norman Cross, Sr. died in 2001, following a month of at-home hospice care. The couple had always been great supporters of the VNA, but this personal experience convinced Sally that there needed to be greater communication between the VNA and doctors at Falmouth Hospital. She promptly funded a program to address this problem.

Sally was an enormously creative person. For 41 years she walked the beach daily collecting sea glass. That collection resulted in the creation of three-dimensional works-of-art that Sally hand-crafted, largely out of sea glass, driftwood and Elmer's Glue. These "Jewels of the Sea," as she dubbed them, depicted sailboats and lighthouses, chipmunks and caterpillars, sunflowers and orchids. In 2006 Sally had these creations photographed, and made into cards that she sold at the Falmouth Artists Guild and other venues, donating the proceeds to those institutions.

Her love of art, reflected in the artistic talents of her children Pam and Norman Jr., led her to give considerable support to the Falmouth Artist's Guild. She was proud to help the Guild move into their brand-new facility on Gifford Street in 2009.

Sally was recognized for her philanthropy. In 2008, she won the Outstanding Philanthropist award from the Planned Giving Council of Cape Cod. This award acknowledges those who act with exceptional generosity and civic responsibility. In 2014, Sally, along with fellow philanthropist Elizabeth Heald Arthur, was given the Falmouth Historical Society's Heritage Award, for which she was recognized by the State Senate and House of Representatives as well as the United States Congress. This honor is given annually to those who have a great positive impact on the culture and heritage of the town.

Sally is predeceased by her husband, Norman Campbell Cross, Sr. of Falmouth, MA; her daughter, Elizabeth Cross Mellen of Falmouth, MA; her son, Norman Campbell Cross, Jr. of New Haven, CT; and her sister Ella Manny Place of Rye, NY.

She is survived by her sister, Ann Manny Beck of Glasgow, VA; her daughter, Sallie Cross Kingham (John), Yardley, PA; her daughter, Pamela Cross Kielhack (Steve), Chatham, MA; and her grandchildren: Eva Breneman, Aaron Kielhack (Diana), Sarah Kielhack Idman (Jon), Reed Breneman (Lua), Douglas Kattlick Kingham (Britta), James Kingham (Lauren), Campbell Cross, and Cole Cross. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Cynthia Cross of New Haven, CT; and her great-grandchildren: Nils, Lillian, Annika, Ramsey, Giselle, Leo, Winston, May, Philip, Nora and a new great-granddaughter due in October, 2015.

CROSS -- A memorial service, to which her family and friends are warmly invited, will be held at 3 pm on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at the Church of the Messiah in Woods Hole, MA.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions in her name to a favorite charity.

For online guestbook, obituary & directions, please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com.