Jeannette Brown's Obituary
Jeannette Sarah Cross Brown
Jeannette Brown, age 97, passed away at Tucson Medical Center on February 25, 2019. She had been a resident of The Fountains in Tucson.
Jeannette was born in Rochester, NY on August 15, 1921 to Celia Harris Zax and Harry Zax and raised in Buffalo, NY. Both her parents were pharmacists and owned their own drugstore. At age 21, Jeannette enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps where she was proud to serve three years during World War II, 1943 – 1945. Her military service started with secretarial work until she became a recruiter. After the war, she returned to Buffalo and married Ralph Herbert Cross in 1946. Ralph and Jeannette had their first child in Buffalo and shortly after moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. The young family continued to grow and finally moved to Tucson in 1957. Ralph and Jeannette had six children. From 1968 to 1983 Jan enjoyed working at Tucson Medical Center where she was a unit clerk on the “Moqui Unit”. Jeannette and Ralph were divorced in 1972. She then met and married Calvin A. Brown in 1973; he died in 1987.
Jeannette was a kindhearted woman who brought light and laughter with her wherever she went. She was a loving mother throughout her life and shared as much love with her friends and extended family. She enjoyed travel, the casino (especially Bingo), crocheting, and living at The Fountains in her later years.
Jeannette is survived by son Gregg Cross, daughter Katherine Covey, son Daniel (Cathy) Cross, son Gerald Cross, daughter Carol Cross-Tolliver, and daughter Patricia Cross. She was also blessed with seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Jeannette is preceded in death by her mother Celia Harris, brother Herb Harris, Ralph Cross, husband Calvin Brown, and grandson John Covey.
A private service for the family will be held March 1, 2019 at Evergreen Mortuary.
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