Obituary of Paula F. Cross

Mrs. Paula "Pauline" Valleriani Cross, 76, born on April 17, 1934 in Amsterdam, NY, a daughter of Angeline Politano and Lawrence Valleriani, passed away one day shy of her 77th birthday on Saturday, April 16, 2011. She is survived by her husband James Whitney Cross whom she married on August 22, 1980; her daughter Laurie Gaetano-Valleriani and grandsons Ryan Casey Johnson and Travis Johnson, of Amarillo, Texas; sisters Madeline Ross and Dolores Ross, and nieces and nephews Anthony and Donna Ross, Amsterdam, Lawrence Amy Ross, Loudonville, Cheryl Umholtz, Colonie; and six great nieces and nephews. Many beloved cousins, friends and in-laws also survive. Mrs. Cross was educated in Amsterdam schools and graduated from the former Wilbur H. Lynch High School. In her youth she spent many summers with relatives in Swampscott, Mass. Paula was a wife and homemaker, loved to cook, played the piano and enjoyed entertaining, and all were welcome at her home. A life long resident of Amsterdam, she had been a bowler with many local leagues, a Democratic Committee poll watcher, and volunteered on election campaigns for Congressman Stratton, the Hon. Robert J. Sise and other Democratic causes. She enjoyed a spirited political discussion, a good joke and telling family stories about her grandparents and many Aunts and Uncles. She was a devoted New York Yankees fan, never missing a game on television, and had attended baseball games in NYC, Toronto, Montreal and Boston. In more recent years, she and husband Jimmy enjoyed summers at their place in Lake George. Mrs. Cross was a communicant of St. Michael's Church, and since its closing a parishioner of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Amsterdam. In the past three months she was courageously battling incureable cancer when the Lord took her home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday April 20, 2011 at 8:15A.M. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:15A.M. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church, St. John St. Amsterdam, NY with Rev. Lawrence J. Decker as celebrant. Interment will be in St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery. Calling Hours will be held on Tuesday April 19, 2011 from 4:00 to 7:00P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael's Cemetery Fund or to the American Cancer Society.