SARATOGA SPRINGS – Patricia D. Cross, 92, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025, in Saratoga Hospital of natural causes. Born in Montreal, Canada to Charles and Ivy (Creates) Donoghue on August 23, 1933. She was the oldest of four children.
Patricia married the love of her life, Roy D. Cross, in 1955. They were married for over 33 years until his passing in 1989. She was the mother of two children, Gregory and Jeffrey.
She is also predeceased by her parents, her sisters, Irene and Ivy, brother, Charles and her son, Jeffery. Patricia is survived by her son, Gregg and his wife, Debra, their two children, granddaughter Erica Lorenzo (son in-law Stephen Lorenzo), grandson Kevin and great granddaughter Vivienne (Erica/Stephen), who brought her immense happiness in her final years. She is also survived by Jeff’s three daughters, Samantha, Jessica and Sydney. She is further survived by her sibling’s spouses, Beryl and John, and ten nieces and nephews.
In 1965, Patricia and Roy settled in Saratoga Springs, NY where they would spend the rest of their lives.
She owned Patricia’s Card and Gift Store in the Arcade Building on Broadway (and a second location, for a number of years, on West Avenue) in Saratoga Springs. Patricia started the business in October 1966, a period in time when it was rare for women to own their own business. She had a great talent for being able to merchandise/display products and a special way of befriending her customers, other merchants and the community. Patricia ran her business for 22 years. In 1988, she sold the business to retire.
Unfortunately, Roy passed away in 1989 before they could begin to enjoy their retirement.
In the 1990’s, she started the volunteering chapter of her life. Of course, Patricia began as a volunteer in a gift shop at Saratoga Hospital. In 2010, she was instrumental in helping design and merchandise the new hospital (and current) gift shop location. She often would encourage her grandchildren to come ‘work’ with her and teach them how to make change for customers. She would go on to volunteer at the hospital for over 20 years until she was unable to continue due to disability constraints. Patricia was recognized by the hospital for her over 23,000 hours of volunteer service time. She was also a volunteer, for over 20 years, at the annual Catholic Charities Saratoga Festival of Trees. She had a knack for creating and crafting, another thing she made sure to spread to her grandchildren, particularly around the holidays. In her free time, Patricia liked to crochet and knit and was particularly fond of reading, crossword puzzles, and Sudoku – always keeping her mind sharp.
Family was truly an important part of her life. She loved family gatherings and being updated on their lives. She liked to host gatherings and cook. We all have our favorite dishes. We still cannot replicate her brownies and cheesecake. The family has wonderful memories which will stay with us forever. She took great pride in sending greeting cards to her family members for all occasions. She tried to never miss an event.
Patrica was a devout Catholic. Her faith was a large component of her life and provided her with great strength and courage as she dealt with physical disabilities in the last years. She has been a parishioner of Saint Peter’s Church since she and Roy moved to Saratoga.
A thank you to the Doctors, nurses and staff at Saratoga Hospital for their loving care.
A special thank you to the staff at Home of the Good Shepherd, in Wilton, NY for your love, kindness, compassion and dedication to your residents. Your care for Patricia brought us great comfort over these past two- and one-half years.
Sharon Drosky, God bless you.
Relatives and friends may call from 5 pm to 7 pm on Tuesday, December 9, at William J. Burke & Sons / Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Wednesday, December 10, in The Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. Burial will follow at Saint Peter’s Cemetery, West Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY.
In lieu of flowers, Patricia contributed to cancer research causes and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Please contribute to these charities or others important to you.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
