Barbara Cross

Barbara Elizabeth Cross
Feb. 21, 1942 - July 20, 2005

They say that when you see a date like this... it is important for you and for the person it represents to understand that neither of the dates listed are as critical and important as the dash in the middle. It represents an entire lifetime.

I met Barbara when I got my first job at University. She was the first to embrace me with warmth and welcome. I remember she said "I'll show you the important things that everyone will forget to tell you, like where the bathrooms are.." We giggled. She not only showed me where the bathrooms were, she showed me how to be good friend and co-worker. Barbara may have been physically frail, but her spirit was strong. She had come through a lot in her lifetime, but she continued each day to make it better for herself, her family and her friends.

Since that first job, I have moved around quite a bit... And even though I was no longer in the same office with Barbara, even though we did not speak every day...she was still my friend, and when we did see each other we picked up where we left off. Through all of that time, Barbara always managed to find me so she could send a birthday card my way. I am going to miss that card this year. Not as much as I will miss her spirit.

Rest in Peace