Obituary of Marilyn B. Cruess

Cruess, Marilyn B. Vestal: Marilyn B. Cruess, age 80, born 12/25/1930, passed peacefully at home Aug. 19, 2011 after a brief illness. Preceded in death by her father, Charles H. Buck, brother Pat Buck, mother Rene Buck, and husband James F. Cruess. She is survived by and was loving mother to Jim Cruess and Juana Ventura (Placentia, CA) Brian Cruess (Seattle, WA), and Elizabeth and Kevin Morrissey, (Windsor, NY); her sisters-in-law Peg Buck, Julie Mooy, Mary Ann and Bob Wolbert, Lenne and Jerry Grant, Kiki Cruess; and grandchildren Emmanuel, Jack, and Sophia Ventura Cruess, and Leigh, Keaghlan, Erin, and Shannon Morrissey, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews: Pat Buck Kapeghian, Kate (Ray) Buck-Kennedy, Kelly Buck, John (Kathy) Buck, Therese (Ed) Jacoski, Mary Pat (John) Savage. Marilyn graduated from Marymount College. She served as an elementary teacher in the Binghamton School District for 30 years where she inspired hundreds of children, including her own family, with a love of reading and the lifelong gift of literacy. She was a lifelong member of St. Patrick and St. Thomas Churches in Binghamton. She was involved in the Junior League and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Family vacations were spent relaxing at the Jersey shore, feet in the sand, nose in a book. Throughout her life she cultivated a large network of friends and colleagues, and upon retirement, enjoyably re-united with some of them on annual winter migrations to Florida. In a musical household, she often was the melodic center with her piano and sight-reading skills. Also known to swing a club at local links, she frequently bested her Sweetheart of 50 yrs. in her quiet, unpretentious manner. She was equally adept at nurturing both children and plants, and was well-known for her sweet tooth, famous casseroles and blueberry muffins. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Patrick's Church, Binghamton Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Marilyn may be made to Lourdes Hospice Program, 4102 Old Vestal Rd. Vestal, NY 13850.