Obituary

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Sally Tsukie Miyauchi Cross, our loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to all whose lives she touched.  On April 29 she left us while sleeping peacefully at her residence in Coto de Caza, California at age 93.

Born in Japan on March 25, 1927, she led a fascinating life that filled her with joy and sadness that built her character and strengthened her passion for God, life, and family.

Starting with her losing her parents in World War II, Sally embarked on a journey that would take her around the world to before settling in California to raise her family.  Her devotion to God and the support of her church sustained her through the loss her devoted husband John Glenn Cross, and her son John Cross Jr. who predeceased her.

Sally lived a full life as a wonderful mother and homemaker.  She was the beloved mother of Yukako Sakakibara, Ellen (Don) Williams, and Patricia (Eric) McLoon, proud grandmother to Naoya, Atsushi, Austin, Richard, Ryan, and Chelsea, and great-grandmother to Eidai.

She often said that the day you stop learning is the day you start dying, and she made it her life’s work to continuously learn, try new things and constantly grow mentally and spiritually.  She spoke five languages and was working on a sixth.  She studied at local community colleges and was an avid TV watcher.  She was smart, quickly adapted, and tried new things fearlessly.  She took various jobs and started numerous entrepreneurial enterprises, always pursing her passions.

She was an accomplished artist, starting with oils, and then studying to perfect the art of Chinese brush painting.  She exhibited and demonstrated her work and provided after-school art lessons to the neighborhood children.  She took great joy surrounding herself with children, whom she said kept her young.  She annually collected a donation for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

She loved animals as much as her family.  She made us promise to continue to fund the ASPCA when she was no longer able to care for her beloved pets.

Her love of nature and the outdoors was noticeable in the beautiful gardens that she created at her home.  She had a very green thumb, nurturing beautiful plants.

This only scratches the surface of Sally’s many talents.  She had a zeal for life and beauty.  Sally was the fierce mama bear who loved her family and friends deeply and worked hard to help us achieve our hopes and dreams.  Most of all she instilled her strong values on us that will serve us well.  She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

Due to the current pandemic, Sally will be interred at a private ceremony on May 8, 2020 at El Toro Memorial Park.  Flowers or donations to St. Jude or the ASPCA are welcome.  Online condolences may be expressed through www.oconnormortuary.com.  We will announce a Celebration of Life to properly honor her as soon as conditions allow.