Agnes Carleen Cross (née Dickhoff), 88, passed away peacefully at home on August 30, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Carleen is survived by her devoted children, John Robert Cross (Sherry), Jennifer Ann Cross Bay (William), and Catherine Carleen Steffens (Patrick); her sister, Mary Helen DeAngelis; her brother, David Rosendale; her sisters-in-law, Janet Dickhoff, Joyce Dickhoff, and Eileen Rosendale; and her beloved grandchildren, Kary Atkinson, Annelise Bay, James Cooper Bay, Aislinn Cross, Margaret Steffens, and Michael Steffens. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Clinton Cross; her parents, Johannes Michael and Agnes Mary Dickhoff (née Rosendale); her infant daughter, Agnes Elizabeth Cross; and her brothers, Ron, Richard, and Jay.
Born in Baltimore, Carleen spent her early years in Annapolis, surrounded by family and faith. After the loss of her mother, she moved with her father and siblings to Catonsville, where they lived on Altamont Avenue. She attended the Institute of Notre Dame and later the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, graduating in 1959 with a degree in English.
At just 14, Carleen met her prince charming, Bob, while he was working at Eddie’s Supermarket, and their bond grew into a lifelong love. They were married at St. Mark Church on September 8, 1962. Together, they embraced the adventure of military life, living in Florida, Michigan, and Germany, where they welcomed their children. The family eventually settled in Catonsville in 1967, where Carleen and Bob built a home filled with faith, love, and laughter.
A dedicated educator, Carleen taught third grade at St. Mark School for many years, inspiring her students with her strong faith and unwavering work ethic. Beyond the classroom, she was a gifted gardener, seamstress, and needlepointer. She had a lifelong love of reading, which she joyfully passed down to her children and grandchildren. Known for her warmth in the kitchen, Carleen filled her home with the smell of fresh-baked muffins and delicious meals, always accompanied by lively conversation and a good glass of wine. Bob and Carleen’s home was a gathering place for family, creating memories that will last for generations.
Above all, Carleen treasured her role as “Grand Mom” to Kary, Aislinn, Annelise, Coop, Maggie, and Mike, who brought her immeasurable joy.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Carleen’s life during a visitation on Sunday, September 7, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Candle Light Funeral Home, 1835 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228. A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 3755 St. Paul Street, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Carleen’s name to the Retired School Sisters of Notre Dame or the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
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