Obituary of Nancy B. Cross

Nancy B. Cross of Redding, Connecticut, and former longtime resident of New Canaan, Connecticut, died on December 17, 2022 at the age of 89.

Eleanor Nancy Bechert was born on November 24, 1933 in Stamford, Connecticut, the daughter of Fred John Bechert and Emita Mitchell Bechert (Emma).  She graduated from Stamford High School in 1950 and from Centenary College in 1955. 

In 1955 she married A. Reid Cross of Darien, and they enjoyed 57 years together until he died in 2013.  They lived in Stamford, Darien, and New Canaan, Connecticut, as well as Bethesda, Maryland before moving to Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa with their young family. They also resided in London, England.

Nancy’s varied career included mechanical drafting, accounting, advertising, sales, and marketing. But her most important job was as mother of five children, grandmother of ten, and great-grandmother of two.

Nancy was a member of the United Methodist Church of New Canaan where she served as president of the United Methodist Women and as a Trustee and was a member of Church Council and Membership & Evangelism as well as being a long-time member of the Children’s Service Circle.

Nancy was an enthusiastic member of the Health & Humor Associates (HAHAs), a volunteer clown program at Stamford Hospital, for 20 years. “Fancy Nancy” aka “Dr. A. Joy” helped interview, train, and mentor new clowns to help bring joy to staff and sick patients. She carried a balloon pump, balloons, and smiley-face stickers in her purse to cheer up people waiting at doctor’s offices, hospitals, and airports.

Nancy was an active volunteer in the National Marrow Donor Program (Be the Match) helping her late granddaughter, Angela Joy Hubley, register over 6000 potential bone marrow donors on the Registry. She also volunteered at blood drives for the American Red Cross. Another one of her many talents was woodworking, and she built several rabbit hutches and a trebuchet/catapult for her grandchildren.

Always positive, cheerful, helpful, and interested in others, Nancy felt grateful to God for her many blessings.

Nancy is survived by her children Alison Hubley (Adam) of Madison, CT; Bruce Cross (Grace) of Rowayton, CT; Jeff Cross (Allison) of Arlington, VA; Martha Stewart (Glenn) of Vero Beach, FL; and Susie Davidson (Bill) of New Hope, PA.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Stephanie Hubley, Ellie Hou, Bryan Gao (Vivian), Justin & Ryan Cross, Dennis & Meggie Stewart, Kelly Sterbentz (Dane), and Andrew Davidson.  Nancy is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Tina Joy Hubley and Jasper Gao. Additional survivors include her brother Thomas Bechert, her sister Beverly Lett, and many nieces and nephews.  Nancy was predeceased by her husband, Reid Cross, her granddaughter, Angela Joy Hubley, and her brothers Fred, Robert, and James Bechert.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, December 30th from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of New Canaan, 165 South Avenue, New Canaan, CT 06840. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 31^st at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of New Canaan with a luncheon reception to follow. Music will begin at 10:30 a.m. Nancy requested that everyone wear bright colored clothing or clown attire.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the United Methodist Church of New Canaan (165 South Avenue, New Canaan, CT 06840), Lapham Community Center (P.O. Box 83, New Canaan, CT 06840), or Make-a-Wish Foundation of CT (56 Commerce Drive, Trumbull, CT 06611).