Mary Lou Cross

Mary Lou Cross, 88, a resident of Shaftsbury, VT, passed away peacefully Monday January 9, 2023 at her home, three days before her 89th birthday. Mary Lou was born in the Shaftsbury Reed Farmhouse on January 12, 1934 the daughter of the late Hiel and Mae (Golding) Reed. She attended Maple Hill School (1 room) and grade school in Shaftsbury and graduated from Bennington High School, class of 1952. Mary Lou owned and operated Mary Lou’s Bakery in Shaftsbury for over 30 years and was well known for her homemade donuts. She was very active in the Grange both at the State and local levels. She loved sewing and made slip covers and drapes for family and friends. She was active in Bennington Little League and enjoyed many trips to Kansas to visit her sister. Mary Lou was very active throughout her life. She was always ready to go for a car ride and will be especially missed by her caregivers Cathy Dickie and Annette Parker. Mary Lou was very appreciative of these women and the time they spent with her. Mary Lou is survived by her son Peter Cross (Paula) of Shaftsbury, 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and her sisters Ellen R. Elwell of the Villages, Florida and Roberta Daniels of Overbrook Kansas She was preceded in death by her husband Ezekiel Cross whom she married at the Bennington Methodist Church in 1953. Mr. Cross passed away February 29, 2008. She was also preceded in death by her son Ezekiel Alan Cross who passed away in 1988, her daughters Kimberly Bessette and Doris Lemieux who passed away in 2018 and her sister Sharon (Reed) Gorski who also passed away in 2018. A celebration of the life of Mary Lou Cross will be held Thursday January 12, 2023 at 12noon at the Shaftsbury Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Shaftsbury Center Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband Ezekiel. Calling for hours for Mary Lou will be held at the church from 11-12pm one hour prior to the service. If friends desire, memorial gifts in Mary Lou’s memory may be made to Bennington Project Independence, c/o Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home P.O. Box 957 Bennington, VT 05201. To send the family personal condolences please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.