Julia Ellen Downey Cross

Julia Ellen Downey Cross, 68 passed away after heart surgery in St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.  She fought courageously from the time of her surgery on September 22nd.
Julie is survived by her husband of 45 years, Jeff, 3 brothers and 5 sisters, 4 sisters-in-law, 2 brothers-in-law 15 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her father, Jack and her mother, Donna and her goddaughter Katherine Kain.
Julie was born in Butte, Montana on May 5, 1955.  She met her future husband at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana.  Jeff and Julie were life long and passionate Bobcat football fans.
Jeff and Julie were married on June 10, 1978, the same day Jeff graduated from Montana State University, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Butte, Montana by Julie’s uncle, Father Robert Butko, PhD.
During their 45-year marriage, Jeff and Julie lived in many places both in the United States and abroad.  They lived in New Orleans for 15 years, Fayetteville, North Carolina for 3 years, Antwerp, Belgium for 2 years and in St. Louis (Ballwin) since 1998 because of Jeff’s engineering job with Monsanto.
Julie was a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) specializing in radiology. She worked and managed radiological billing for practices in New Orleans, Fayetteville and St. Louis retiring in 2010.
While living in Antwerp, Belgium, Julie was elected President of the American Women’s Club of Antwerp.  She had the honor of being their representative at the Memorial Day services at the American military cemeteries at Flanders Field and the Ardennes.
Julie loved traveling, cooking, gardening, reading, golf, fine dining, and having involved connections with friends and family.  Her tomatoes were the envy of her friends and whole family, especially her late father-in-law.  She loved decorating for holidays, especially Christmas.  Her numerous themed Christmas trees were spectacular.  
After retiring Julie spent and valued helping our neighbors of 17 years, Colin and Bethany Meisinger raise their two children, Huston and Hannah.  Jeff and Julie were self-proclaimed honorary grandparents to Huston and Hannah.
Funeral services will be private. A Memorial Gathering is being planned.   Celebration of Life events will be scheduled at a later date in Saint Louis and in Montana.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the local Ollie Hinkle Foundation for pediatric congenital heart disease or No Kids Hungry.  Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.