M. Genevieve (O'Neill) Cross

Genevieve (O’Neill) Cross, 88, of Chelmsford passed away after a period of declining health at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA. She was born and raised in Watertown, MA and was the beloved daughter of the late Daniel and Jean (Montague) O’Neil. She was predeceased by her sisters Ann Marion O’Neil, Catherine “Kitty” O’Neil, Jean Marie Kavanagh, Patricia Landers, her brother Daniel O’Neil and the father of her children Ted Cross.

Genevieve graduated from Rosary Academy High School in 1955 and State Normal School in Framingham (now Framingham State University) in 1959 and went on to become an educator. Teaching elementary school was her calling and a career that she cherished for over 25 years saying, "I never got tired of my job. I always loved teaching. There's nothing as exciting as helping a child learn."

Known for her extraordinary generosity and love for her family, it was no wonder she had many lifelong friends whom she relished meeting up with for lunch or tea. Genevieve was a wonderful hostess with a hearty laugh and welcoming spirit. She adored holding dinners and get-togethers at her home. Potato salad, apple pie and Split-second cookies, were a few of her signature offerings.

Genevieve looked forward to summer vacations on Cape Cod, always managing her time wisely to visit the beach, attend family cookouts, indulging in ice cream at Sundae School (her favorites were maple walnut and strawberry), and heading back home via Route 6A to enjoy the endless array of antique shops and yard sales along the way. During a more distant trip in the 1980s, she fell in love with Ireland.  In her 30s she learned to play the guitar and would often bring her guitar into her classroom to have a sing-along with her students.  A truly talented artist, she hand-painted Christmas ornaments, created beautiful landscapes on canvas, and hand-stitched extraordinary quilts for loved ones.  

Genevieve is survived by her daughter Kelly Cross of Lowell, MA; her son, Tom Cross, and his wife Karen of Westford, MA; as well as her daughter, Jeanette Murray, and her husband Tim of North Reading, MA. She was a loving Gram and will be deeply missed by her grandchildren Matthew Murray, Brian Cross, Alexis Murray, and Rebecca Cross. She leaves behind her brother, Gerard O’Neil, and his wife Mary of Woburn, MA.

Family and friends will honor and remember Genevieve’s life by gathering for a mass at St. Jude, 147 Main St, Waltham, MA 02453 on Saturday April 25, 2026 at 10:30 am.  Interment will be private.

If you would like to honor Genevieve, please be generous and kind to others and treat a friend to an ice cream cone. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Genevieve’s name to Merrimack Valley Food Bank (www.mvfb.org) or Daniel’s Table in Framingham (https://www.danielstable.org/).

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