Eleanore Kathryn (Wirfs) Cross

Eleanore Kathryn Wirfs Cross left her earthly home and received her Holy Birth into Eternal Life on February 15, 2022. She was born on March 13, 1943 in McHenry, Illinois and was preceded in death by her parents Alexander and Eleanore M. Wirfs. Left behind to cherish her memory are many members of her family including her beloved husband of 57 years, Terry Cross. They were married on October 2, 1965 in Illinois. They lived in Ottawa, Illinois where they had three beautiful children; Kurt, Tom and Tarni. They moved in 1972 to North Carolina where they raised their family and it continued to grow.

Affectionately known to her family as Big E or Mema, Eleanore cherished her role as grandmother and great-grandmother more than anything. In addition to her husband, she is also survived by son Kurt Cross of Wagram, son, Thomas Cross and wife, Kim of Mooresville; and daughter Tarni Cross Carter of Whiteville; grandchildren, Brandi Cross Flanagan and husband, Devan, Sarah Kathryn Cross, Alexis Carter, Ashley Carter, Tanner Cross and Colby Cross; great grandchildren, Bradley, Emilia, and Amberly Kathryn Flanagan. She is also survived by sister, Roberta Francisco, and brothers Wayne and Tim Wirfs; along with many nieces and nephews.

Eleanore graduated with her nursing degree from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Evanston, Illinois. She began her career at Westminster Nursing Home, then after moving to Laurinburg where she continued various nursing and administrator roles for caring for patients and being a respected mentor at Scotland Memorial Hospital. Finally, before retiring from Scotland hospital she served as the Assistant Director of Nursing.  After retiring from the hospital, her compassion for health care continued by educating high school students in Health Science careers at Scotland High School. This is where she loved to accompany her students to various HOSA conventions around the country. She also was an instructor at Richmond Community College in the nursing department prior to her retirement.

Eleanore was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Laurinburg since 1972. She served the Lord by being a Lector, Secretary of the Lady’s Guild and taught the Rite of Christian Initiative of Adults to many new Catholic members.

Eleanore was also very active in her community where she was an avid supporter of the Scotland Co. Republican Party, a longtime member of the Pilot Club and served on the Roads Committee for her neighborhood, Deercroft in addition to being a member of the Red Hat Society. She also enjoyed gardening, yoga and playing golf with her many friends.

The family would like to thank her caregivers from Hospice of Scotland County for the loving care they provided.

Eleanore would often tell her family, “Count your blessings.” She was such a blessing to us and will be missed beyond measure.

The family will receive friends at St. Mary Catholic Church in Laurinburg, NC beginning at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday, February 19, 2022.  Following visitation, there will be mass at 11:30.  Services will immediately follow at Hillside Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, PO Box 1148, Laurinburg, NC 28353 and/or the Scotland Regional Hospice, PO Box 1033, Laurinburg, NC 28353.

Bumgarner Family Funeral Service and Crematorium is assisting the family.

Scotland Regional Hospice
P.O. Box 1033, Laurinburg NC 28353
Web: https://www.scotlandhealth.org/scotland-regional-hospice/donate

St. Mary Catholic Church
PO Box 1148, Laurinburg NC 28353