Florence (Rendall) Cross

ISLESBORO – Florence Rendall Cross passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 22, 2024 at the age of 99 and one half years at the Boardman Cottage in Islesboro.

Florence was born on Dec. 18, 1924, the daughter of Elsie Dickenson Rendall and Raymond Eaton Rendall in Alfred.

She graduated from Oak Grove School, Vassalboro, a Quaker academy for girls. She went on to graduate from Endicott Junior College in Massachusetts.

She fell in love with an army uniform, and in 1946 married Basil Winfield Cross. They were married for 59 years, until his death in 2005.

Florence had a wonderful singing voice and sang at many recitals and other musical events. She also loved to accompany her brother, Raymond E. Rendall, a concert pianist at Wesleyan University, in his many recitals. Florence was choir director at Christ Church in Gardiner and St. Mark’s Church in Augusta. Her clear voice always carried through. She loved to sew and knit, and she was always up for a game of any kind.

A lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and a Red Cross volunteer at Togus VA Hospital, she was rewarded with many pins acknowledging her service. She was also a lifetime member of the Upham Family Society, related through generations to Phineas Upham of Melrose, Mass.

Florence led an active life. She loved to travel to Caribbean islands and fishing with her husband, Basil, more affectionately known as “Beanie”. She loved the water of Narrows Pond where she and Beanie lived for years, and spent hours frolicking with her grandchildren in the lake, teaching them how to swim and enjoy the water. She is dearly missed by her children and grandchildren, who considered her a wonderful, nearly perfect human being.

Florence was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Basil; her son, Ronald Winfield Cross; and her brothers Raymond and Robert Rendall.

She is survived by her son, Stephen Rendall Cross of Kingfield, her daughter-in-law, Janet Cross DuPuy (Charles) of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; granddaughters Ryan Cross (Jonathan) of Silver Spring, Md., Suzannah Cross (Travis) of Aztec, N.M., and Elsa Cross of Austin, Texas, and grandson, Benjamin Cross of Kingfield; as well as three great -grandchildren, Cyrus McDowell of Oregon, Brodie Cross and Lincoln Cross, both of New Hampshire.

Heartfelt thanks go to the Boardman Cottage for the seven years of wonderful care Florence received at their loving hands.

Arrangements are in the care of the Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta where condolences and memories may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website by visiting www.khrfuneralhomes.com.

Donations can be made to the

Boardman Cottage,

131 Main Rd.,

Islesboro, ME 04848