Lynn Rae (Cross) Delaney

Lynn Rae Cross-Delaney was once introduced as the nicest woman you'll ever meet. It was an accurate assessment.  She was the type of person to think of your needs first and herself second. Her capacity to be thoughtful could surpass even the kindest of people. She taught me, her son, what it meant to be caring, to be gentle, to be kind. It appeared to me like such a thing came automatically to her, as if she was good by default. If you were speaking with my mother, you could hear the good manners in her way of speaking, the consideration in her thought processes, and the sweetness in her voice. It may not surprise you to hear how fun loving she was and how much she lived for a good laugh. All these bright qualities within her is why she herself looked for and chased all the brightness to be had in this world, and she did so successfully. 

These bright qualities translated well into being a mother. If being a mother was second nature to her, I would have never known it. But the act of being a good sister, to being a loving wife, to being a cherished friend; it's so apparent for all to see just how much she improved our quality of life by just being herself and being there. And her quality of character brought out the best in us, often rendering us better people for it. 

Also, it cannot go unsaid that my Mother’s commitment to the public schools was profound. She began long ago, helping raise special needs children, the work wasn't easy, and it hardly got easier; the work was tough, but so was she. She braved roughly 15 years in the public schools, playing the support role, and carrying it out with great efficiency. She was totally loyal to Akron and Kenmore in particular. They wore red and black at Innes this week in her honor. Innes was not a kind place to me when I attended, until I saw my Mother working there. It's clear to me that the kindness that my Mother bestowed in her merits and her efforts, was not unnoticed, and made a world of difference. 

She passed damned young, but she lived a damned good life, she became and remained a damned good woman, and she helped lead a damned good family. If we as people remember to recognize goodness and brightness similar to that which my Mother brought into this world, and imitate it whenever it possible, we may retain what we held so dear, when she was by our side

Lynn Delaney entered the kingdom of heaven alongside her mother and father Rowena and Eugene Cross, stepson Justin, her sister Pamela Nightingale, her mother in law  Mary Lou Conley and fathers in laws Michael Conley and John (Jack) Delaney.

Lynn is survived by Her loving husband Timothy Delaney, her favorite son Dylan, dear sisters Robin Martincak, Rene Lacefield, and Tracy Craig; her brothers in law Paul Martincak and Paul Nightingale, nephews Jeremy, Jason, Mitchell, and Mathew, Nieces Gypsy, Charlynn, Morgan, Christy, Jordan and Bobbie, and her dearest friend Stephanie Ricker. 

Funeral services will be held at the Prentice Funeral Home, 1154 Kenmore Blvd. on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. officiated by Pastor Chris Shallenberger. Calling hours will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

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