Obituary of Kathryn J. Crossley

Kathryn J. "Kay" Crossley, 91, of West Ellicott, formerly of 105 Huxley Street, Jamestown, and Kent Street, Sinclairville, died Wednesday May 27, 2015, in her home. She was surrounded by her family. A native of Jamestown, she was born March 22, 1924, a daughter of the late Swante and Loletta Lindberg Carlson. She was a 1942 graduate of Jamestown High School. Kay was a member of her high school reunion committee, serving as a co-chairman at most events. Kay was also a member of the Jamestown High School 100 Member Club and the Kiwanis Wives, of which she served as president. Kay served as co-chairperson for the Elks Lodge Christmas Party for the handicapped, for numerous years, and was instrumental in establishing the annual event. Kay was very involved in the community and chaired numerous fundraising activities. Anyone fortunate enough to have known Kay would agree, she was truly one of the special ones. If you knew her well, or just a little, you are surely a better person. Whether it be family, friends, acquaintances or even a perfect stranger, she chose to focus on the good in you ... and to forget about the not so good. Her natural tendency in life was to give to others of her time and talents. She demonstrated this in every area of her life. For Kay, entertaining was a gift. She hosted many of her high school reunions and other events at her home in Sinclairville. Any holiday, in fact every Sunday, was a good excuse for a party. No need for anyone to bring a dish to pass, Kay would prepare all the food you would need, and anyone without a place to go was always welcome. Her generosity was unsurpassed and many knew her as the Santa in the white Caddy, who distributed gifts, randomly, to children in need. Kay spent countless hours every year organizing a Christmas party for hundreds of handicapped children, making sure every child received a special gift, a hot holiday meal, and a great time. If you knew Kay, you knew that you should always cross your heart with the passing of the flag, and you should always give your children new pajamas on the eve of each Christmas. Kay would remind you to always lean into your snowmobile turns, and always make sure to match your Keds to your tops. Have an open door for the neighborhood children, and always make sure your candy shelf is well stocked. Bring your children and grandchildren to theater, or better yet, make it Broadway! Doesn't every child need to see Big River? Never add soda to your whiskey, always keep the Ray Conniff Singers close at hand, dance on the stage at your grandson's wedding, and never use spaghetti sauce from a jar - always make it yourself. Keep your sister as your best friend, be sure to forever leave your door open for family and friends, and never expect anything in return. Kay...you will be missed. Surviving are six children Jerry (Julie) Stanton of Jamestown, Thomas (Nancy Price) Stanton of Maple Springs, John (Elizabeth) Crossley of Sinclairville, David (Janet) Crossley of Gerry, Lori (Leo) Jones of West Ellicott, and Bonnie (Paul) Quesenberry of Raleigh, NC; twelve grandchildren Rodney Stanton, Janelle Wickham, Katie Ireland, Brian Stanton, Gregory Stanton, Brett Crossley, Adam Crossley, Jacob Jones, Kasey Quesenberry, Joseph Quesenberry, Joshua Quesenberry, and Karli Quesenberry; eight great grandchildren Brezny and Brooke Stanton, Ethan and Alexa Wickham, Gage and Sydney Milliman, Taylyn Stanton, and Hunter Crossley; a sister-in-law June Carlson; nieces Carol (Mark) Hassenberg and Beverly (Jerry) Daniel: and nephews Steven (Anne) Johnson, Douglas (Linda) Carlson, and Scott (Christie) Pugh. She was preceded in death by her husband Howard Crossley, whom she married January 7, 1956 and who died August 19, 1992; a granddaughter Julianne Stanton; sisters Helen Swanson and Virginia Atkins; and a brother Fred Carlson. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 1st in the Lind Funeral Home. Pastor Doug Kibbe will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2:00-5:00 PM Sunday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring Street, Jamestown, NY 14701 or Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750. You may light a candle in remembrance of Kay at www.lindfuneralhome.com.