Marsha Lynne Cross
On Monday in her home in Harrisville, Marsha Lynne Cross continued her journey into eternity surrounded by her loving family, on both ends of that journey. Her family held her in their hands until God took her into His. She went peacefully and without pain. Praise God for this blessing in her life.
Marsha was born in Grove City on March 14, 1953, to William Frank and Annabelle (Sweeney) Cross.
She graduated from Slippery Rock Area High School in 1971. A short time later, she was called upon by the Slippery Rock School District to help in the high school office during the transition into the middle school. She willingly agreed to fill that need for “a couple of months.” She retired from the Slippery Rock School District 37 years later. She served the school district as secretary in the high school office, the middle school office and as secretary to special services.
Marsha was a caring person and during her career she touched the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of students and staff with whom she graciously interacted. She served as coach for the high school varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders for a number of years and has maintained a loving and caring relationship with many of the girls and boys who were part of her squads.
Marsha maintained a relationship with the school district after her retirement serving as a clerical substitute and continuing to sell tickets for the district's sporting events. She could also be found selling tickets at Slippery Rock University sporting events.
Much of Marsha's life was spent in sharing her God-given talent and love for music. She was a member of the Harrisville Community Band from the age of 15 through the time of her death. As a member of the band, she served as program master and administrator.
Marsha played the piano and organ for her beloved Wolf Creek Presbyterian Church, beginning as a teenager and continuing until its closing in 2015. At that time, she went onboard as organist at the newly formed Friendship Presbyterian Church, where she continued to play.
Marsha was a key member of the ACTS (Adoring Christ Thru Song) Choir and Orchestra since its formation in 2001. Her love of singing and her keen attention to detail made her the go-to woman for many, many tasks performed with love and dedication. Marsha also played in the Mercer Community Band for a number of years.
Her family rejoices in the blessed assurance that she is now part of the heavenly host of singers praising God.
Marsha is survived by her sister, Sarah Anne (Sue) Datt; and her niece, Heather Marie Datt, with whom she made her home; her nephew, William Philip Datt of Patriot, Ind., and his son, William Nicholas Datt of Osage Beach, Mo.; her brother, Jeffrey Alan Cross and his wife, Cindy, of Harrisville; a nephew, Leonard Douglas Williams and his wife, Amanda, of Stoneboro; and her niece, Michelle Lee Whitehouse and her husband, Jeremy, of Grove City, and their children, Michael Adams and Lilly Whitehouse.
Marsha was devoted to her nieces and nephews and they to her. Her love for them has no end. Life is eternal, love is immortal.
In addition to her parents, Marsha was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Angus Homer and Sarah (Harmer) Cross; her maternal grandparents, Frank James and Anna (Beck) Sweeney; and her brother-in-law, William Frank Datt.
CROSS — The family of Marsha Lynne Cross, who died Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, will receive friends at 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Saturday at Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock. Funeral services will be officiated by the Rev. Donna Yanosy of Friendship Presbyterian Church.Following the service, there will be an open reception in celebration of the life of Marsha Cross from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Friendship Presbyterian Church Community, 886 New Castle Road, Slippery Rock.In lieu of flowers, at Marsha's request, memorial contributions can be made to Friendship Presbyterian Church, 877 Franklin Road, Slippery Rock, PA 16057; Harrisville Community Band, c/o Karen McKnight, P.O. Box 62, Harrisville, PA, or ACTS Choir, c/o LaDonna Linamen, 124 Sanderson Road, Slippery Rock, PA.
