Pat was born on October 14, 1935, to Esther Boyd and Oswald J. Donnelly. She was the youngest of six children. Her sister, Evelyn Mellinger, and brothers, George Donnelly, David Donnelly, and Frank Donnelly, predeceased her. Her sister, Joan Finney of Portland, Oregon, survives her. Pat was the wife of Dr. Chauncey Cross, who passed away in 2019. Pat and Chauncey were married for 64 years.
Pat was a life-long resident of Springfield. She was the mother of three sons, Brian, David, and Rob and grandmother of seven unconditionally-loved grandchildren: Samuel and Sarah (Brian and Carol), Graham, Isabel and Agnes (David and Susan), Ezekiel and Jude (Rob and Susie). She was the mother-in-law to Carol, Susan, and Susie.
Pat was well-known on the golf course and in the world of philanthropy. Over the years, she served many organizations, including King’s Daughter’s Progress Circle and the Illinois State Dental Society. Pat authored “Healthy, Healthy,” a children’s book highlighting the importance of dental hygiene that was distributed to elementary schools throughout Illinois.
The joy and center of her life was being a mother and grandmother. To her grandchildren, Pat was best-known for her beef stroganoff, 5-star attendance at their sporting events, and her sweet treats. She was a one-of-a-kind “Grammy,” a much-loved matriarch who found any and every opportunity to bring her family together for birthdays, holidays, or “just because.”
She was the faithful dog-mom to Queenie, Dutchie, Snoopy, Missy, Carrie, Sadie, Nellie, Lucy and Bonnie. Bonnie survives her.
A funeral ceremony for family will be scheduled.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 700 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62703; St. Patrick’s Catholic School, 1800 S. Grand Ave. E., Springfield, IL 62703; or APL, 1001 Taintor Rd., Springfield, IL 62702.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.
