Mary Lou Cross, 72, of 110 Barrington Circle, Alpena, passed away at home peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, April 8, 2009.

Mary Lou, the daughter of the late Frances and Gladys (Garant) Gibbons, was born in Alpena on December 28, 1936. She married Philip M. Smigelski on July 22, 1960 in Cheboygan, and he preceded her in death on March 28, 1994. On July 23, 1999 she married Walter Cross.

In 1988 Mary Lou established Lasting Expressions which she operated until her retirement in 1998. She was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church, its Choir, and a very creative person who enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilting and spending time at the Long Lake cottage with friends and family.

Surviving are her husband, Walter; a daughter, Gail (Mrs. Joseph A.) Dupuis of Saginaw; 4 sons, Donald (Betty) of Alpena, Michael of Alpena, Steven (Gina) of Alpena, Jeffrey of Alpena; 9 grandchildren: Adam, Kate, Sarah Dupuis, Philip, William, Andrew, Winston, Jamie and Emily Smigelski; 2 sisters, Joan (Mrs. Kenneth Grulke, Belinda "Billie" (Mrs. Randy) Bloomfield; Walter's children: Ann Cross, John (Lynn) Cross, Michael Cross, Jeannette (Paul) Goyette, Joan (Nick) Reichenbach, Matthew (Jennifer) Cross; and Walter's 11 grandchildren.

Mrs. Cross is at the Bannan Funeral Home where family and friends may call on Monday from 2-8 p.m. with a parish prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Tuesday at St. Anne Catholic Church from 10 a.m. until time of funeral mass at 11 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Maher officiating.

Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery

Memorials: St. Anne Catholic Church Building Fund or The Friendship Room