Kathleen Crossed

March 16, 1937 - April 5, 2022

Kathleen "Kay” Anne Kelly Crossed, age 85, of Lewes, DE and previously Bowie, MD, and Elmira, NY, passed away peacefully at home with her husband and daughter by her side on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. She was born on March 16, 1937, in Elmira, NY, daughter of the late Francis and Anastasia (Tormey) Kelly. It is a miracle she survived, weighing only 2.5 pounds back in 1937! Her home life was not suitable for a child, so her uncle, Joe Kelly, vowed to find her a good home before he left for WWII. Kathy’s maternal grandparents (Tormeys) raised her from the age of five in a good home in Elmira NY. She adored her uncle and grandparents; she was eternally grateful to them. Kathy was proud of her Irish heritage on both sides of her family. She loved Saint Patrick’s Day. Kathy had fond memories of her school days at Catholic High; she was the Class Secretary, very active in the Sodality, and Prom queen. After graduating Catholic High, Kathy started Nursing School, only at the insistence of her aunt. She decided this was not the path for her because she could not stand the sight of blood. Kathy married her school sweetheart, Charles Crossed, 2 years her senior. After he graduated College, they married on October 26, 1957, at Saint Patrick’s Church in Elmira NY, and together they enjoyed 64 years of marriage. Kathy and Charles moved to Washington DC where she worked for the National Academy of Sciences and started their family in 1958, having 4 sons and 1 daughter. She and her husband travelled in the United States and abroad before she became ill. When Kathy made a friend, they were a friend for life. She agreed with the saying, “A stranger is just a friend we have not met yet.” Her childhood friends, Barbara, Marilyn, Nancy, and MaryAnn remained her besties for life. After they raised their families, they would take trips together without their husbands and kids. Kathy loved preparing family meals. Sunday dinners were a must! Sunday dinners would be Spaghetti or Lasagna to please her husband. Her children appreciated that she made their home welcoming to all. The kids recall friends eating dinner at the house all the time. The closest friends were welcome to just walk in, no need for a formal knock on the door. Kathy cared more about genuine connections with people than worrying about how things looked. Her character was one of non-judgmental mercy and understanding; she loved the underdog. Kathy was truly a kind-hearted angel. She had various interests and hobbies. Kathy liked reading, playing scrabble, she used to love walking all over. She had a fear of water, but when she was in her 60s, she learned to swim. Kathy loved going to horse races with her sons and father. She loved writing letters and cards to people. Kathy would never send a card to someone without writing heartfelt words; she would consider it impersonal to send a card with only her signature. Kathy adored her family and was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She was loved by many. Kathy will be deeply and genuinely missed by all who knew her. She will be missed by her husband, Charles Crossed of Lewes Delaware; son and daughter in law, Kevin and Odile Crossed of Bowie MD; son, Martin Crossed of Greenbelt MD; her granddaughter, Emily Crossed of Kansas; her grandson and granddaughter in law, Joseph and Lauren Crossed and great grandchildren, Norah Crossed and Sean Crossed of Bowie MD; her grandson, Sam Crossed of Philadelphia PA; her granddaughter, Julia Crossed of Bowie MD; her son and daughter in law, Brian and Susan Crossed of Palisade, CO and grandson, Jesse Crossed of Baltimore ,MD ;and grandson, Dylan Crossed of Bowie MD; her son in law and daughter, Roy and Maria Foster of Salisbury, MD and Lewes DE (formerly of Bowie MD) ; and grandsons, Cary Foster and Dominic Foster of Salisbury MD (formerly of Bowie MD); and her granddaughter, Grace Kathleen Kelly Foster of Salisbury MD and Lewes DE (formerly of Bowie MD);her son and daughter in law, Charles (TONY) and Shannon Crossed and grandsons, Colin Crossed and Declan Crossed ; and her granddaughter, Keira Crossed of Easton MD. Private Service and Luncheon will be held in Lewes DE. Please do not send flowers. Your prayers are much appreciated. Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.