Community Celebrates Life of Mother, Friend

Editor's Note: Read council remarks .

A community came together this morning to remember Joan Cross' penchant for being there right when her friends and family needed her the most.

They swapped stories of their flute- and piccolo-playing mother, disco-dancing friend and dedicated council woman at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center Thursday at 10 a.m.

"63 years ago, a little boy met a little girl," Joan's husband, Ron Cross, told friends and family at the memorial service. Joan and Ron met each other early in their lives and later married.

"She brought such joy and that's why we're celebrating Joan," he said. "She blessed and enlightened me all my life since that time, in the garden, in first grade. And she shall forever."

Joan's oldest son, Will, tearfully described his mother as a world class Scrabble player, a master crossword puzzler and parade enthusiast.

"But most importantly," he said. "My mom was a friend, a neighbor, confidante, a sister, a grandmother, an aunt. She was the fixer of broken bones and she was a mender of broken hearts. She was selfless and she was beautiful."

Joan is the longest serving woman on the city council, first elected in 2002 and serving consecutive terms until .

John, Joan's middle son, wondered at the side of his mother he had never known. "She was just 'Mom' to us," he said, thanking those who shared the council woman's passion for city politics with the family at Wednesday night's viewing.

Joan's youngest son, Brad, said "I feel special because I was her son. I feel special because I was raised by a mother who never gave up on me despite the many times I wanted to give up on myself. My mom always got the best out of everyone she touched."

Her family and friends shared a side of Joan not evident in her life as city council woman. Jane Weaver-Sobel told how her sister saved her life by grabbing her ankle before she could tumble out of a second-story window.

Linda talked about how her good friend Joan would always cook chili on the first snowfall of the season, right before they headed outside for some sledding. She told of disco lessons, and she spoke of a cancer that that "happened way too fast and simply overwhelmed her, as it did us."

Councilman Jeff Greenfield presented a lighter side to her behavior behind the council desk. He spoke of how Joan, caught up in the excitement of some city council meetings, would write all over his sleeves.

As he read a letter from Governor Bob McDonnell, the power flickered and the microphone went silent for an instant. Friends and family saw the interruption as a sign from above, perhaps telling Greenfield to cut the pomp and circumstance short. There were no such incidents while Mayor Rob Lederer dedicated a proclamation to Joan's service to the city.

Reverend Dr. Tory Baucum, rector of Truro Church, open and closed the service. The City of Fairfax Band's Potomac Brass Quintet performed while guests took advantage of refreshments in the art room.