Joanne Hautly Cross, KHS64 and widow of our dear late friend Chuck

 Here is the link to Joanne's obituary in the Post Dispatch:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/stltoday/name/joanne-cross-obituary?id=34435617&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=obitsharebeta&fbclid=IwAR2nMxXspQvp7NRYKPeo-CodCa6eB2tPyHSRKh6vW0eoUwArBiQjOQ2iapo

Another trip to Bopp to mourn the loss of a great gal who leaves behind four wonderful daughters, grand-children and other relatives and many friends.  Joanne was closer to our class than her own because she basked in the light and fun of hubby Chuck whom so many of us loved.  I personally didn't know Chuck at KHS but in our later reunion activites we became very good friends.  When I needed friends after my divorce, Chuck was always there.  He renovated the kitchen of the house I bought so that my mom, who initially moved in with my children and me and had to eat frequently, could have a much-needed up-to-date kitchen.  Chuck provided that, nevermind the fire as he was working but that's another day's story!  It was a lovely kitchen and mom could cook to her heart's content.  But back to Joannd, who was also the first cousin of our KHS65 classmate Linda Hautly, who I understand is doing well and still in Wisconsin, although not able to get to town for the funeral.  Wednesday night I spent time with youngest daughter Becky Jones who is the secretary in the office at Paul Schroeder Park, the city park in Manchester.  Becky told me that Joanne was doing fine, but had breast cancer in 2019 from which she recovered well with good treatments and care.  However she later came down with lung cancer and one upper lobe was removed.  Again she seemed to do well but that had metastasized and on March first she had a seizure which was a stroke from brain cancer.  She was at home, with her girls each taking turns to care for her full time, until the last two weeks when she entered hospice care.  The girls produced a great video of Joanne's life, from baby and little-girl photos to recent pictures with her children and grands.  And, of course, several with Chuck.  I noticed in several photos a lovely gold heart locket around her neck, which I had seen her wearing in her casket.  She looked very life-like too, almost as if she was smiling up at me, lying there peacefully surrounded by the aroma of beautiful flowers.  Gone too soon but leaving behind a legacy of love and wholesome family life.  So long Joanne, rest in peace surrounded by love and when you meet up with Chuck please tell him I said HI and thanks for being my friend.