Marie Z. Cross

A memorial service for Marie Z. Cross, 89, a longtime Lawrence resident, will be at 3 p.m. Sept. 5 in Gathering Room 1 at The Oread, 1200 Oread Ave.
She died Monday, June 21, 2010.
Dr. Cross was born Jan. 8, 1921, in Dodgeville, Wis.
She attended the University of Wisconsin and later became the first female biochemistry Ph.D. in that school’s history.
She moved to Lawrence in 1949 to become a professor of nutrition at Kansas University in the department that became human development and family life.
After taking some time off to raise her three children, Dr. Cross returned to teaching at KU. She was honored with the Chancellors Club Career Teaching Award in 1990. Upon realizing the difficulties of living with a disability, adrenoleukodystrophy, she became active in disabled support activities in the community and in 1987 received the Multiple Sclerosis Society Mother of the Year Award.
She married Frank B. Cross on Nov. 24, 1954. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include a son, Frank, Austin, Texas; two daughters, Betty Sue, Kirkwood, Mo., and Julie, Madison, Conn.; and three grandchildren, Kendra, Jemma, and Jeremy.
The family suggests memorials to the United Leukodystrophy Foundation, 2304 Highland Dr., Sycamore, IL 60178, 800-728-5483, (ULF.org), or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent at warrenmcelwain.com/obituaries.cfm.