Teresa Cross

With a bright smile and a big heart, Teresa Cross lived a life rich in family and friends. Teresa never asked for anything and gave everything she could in an effort to make life easier for others. She delighted in celebrating her loved one's joys and being a source of comfort in the face of life's hardships. Her children, their sweethearts, and her granddaughter were her heart's delight, and spending time with them was always her greatest happiness. A devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Teresa will long be remembered and so very missed.

1968 was a year of high emotion. While the peace movement continued to gain momentum in the wake of the war in Vietnam, and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy rocked the nation, the Beatles sang of "Revolution" and Cream of the "Sunshine of Your Love." People around the nation sunk their teeth into the first Big Macs, and the first Boeing 747 made its maiden flight. Nowhere was there more excitement than the home of the Weese Family as they welcomed their daughter Teresa on August 7 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. From a very early age, Teresa forged a close relationship with her father.

In 1995, Teresa met Mike Cross when she was renting a room from Mike's friend. After dating for a time, the couple married. Though the marriage eventually ended in divorce, it blessed Teresa and Mike with the gift of their children who were the centers of her world, and she loved nothing more than sharing their lives and creating fun memories with them.

She wanted to provide her kids with good experiences and took them on memorable adventures including Build-a-Bear, trips to Six Flags, and lots of camping. Once, the only lots the campground had left were the rustic type. Though the campground had a pool and big lake was nearby, their campsite didn't have electricity or plumbing which crated some unique challenges. Their son even got lost because he couldn't find the campsite in the pitch dark!

Teresa enjoyed the simple things in life, including anything purple and butterflies, which always made her smile. She loved kids and supporting family and friends at their baby showers. Celebrating her kids' weddings and other special moments was most important to her as she watched them each start new chapters in their lives and adventures of their own. Teresa had a big stuffed alligator in her bed, enjoyed live music, and loved watching wrestling. John Cena was her favorite wrestler, and she relished attending a live wrestling show with Mike at Van Andel Arena. It was one of the very first shows Van Andel had after being built. Teresa also continued to grow the coin collection her father started and had a fondness for collecting Native American memorabilia. Not to be forgotten are the birthdays with her uncle, Doug Walls. There was one particular birthday bash with a live band on her uncle’s property. Doug fondly gave Teresa the nickname, Froggie Nubbins.

Teresa enjoyed staying in more than going out. Movie nights with her niece, Barbara, were something Teresa looked forward to especially when Barbara’s children, Lucy, Eric, and Dante came along. Barbara also took Teresa to get her first pedicure. Even though it tickled, she enjoyed it immensely. Live PD was one of her favorite TV shows, and she was known to stay up all night watching Nick at Night classics like The Odd Couple and Gilligan's Island. She could talk a person's ear off on her phone. Though she liked playing games like Candy Crush and Farmville on her phone, she had the worst luck with the devices and went through many phones over the years. As her health declined, Teresa went out less and less. She found contentment in being with family and watching shows. She enjoyed Domino's Philly steak pizza, and hot wings were favorites.

Despite the constant pain Teresa experienced, she never acknowledged her discomfort. She much preferred to put others first and ensure that her loved ones were well cared for. A powerful role model, Teresa showed us how to live wholeheartedly at every turn.

Though our days with her were far too few, every moment we shared with Teresa was a gift we will long treasure. As we celebrate her life, may we find comfort in knowing she is no longer in pain and in the honor of carrying her beautiful legacy forward. In each moment we choose love and hope over fear, share an adventure with loved ones, cheer on our family and friends' endeavors, and enjoy the gift of conversation, we keep Teresa's memory alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Teresa Cross of Kalamazoo, age 55, died on March 26, 2024. Surviving are her children: David Baugus, Avery (Amber) Cross, Ethan Cross, and Alycia Cross (fiancé Justin Owen); granddaughter, Malone; siblings: Walt Weese Jr., Jennifer Goding, and Michelle Weese; and her niece, Barbara Hurst. Donations to the American Cancer Society. Visit Teresa's webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories and photos and sign her guestbook. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.