It is with deep sorrow that the family of Nina Cross announce her passing on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the age of 92 years. Nina was born on April 22, 1924 in Mildred, SK. Nina and her twin sister, Tina were the ninth and tenth in the family of thirteen children born to Herbert and Cordelia (nee Burchell) Gorrell. The death of Nina's father when she was only five years old, led to the separation of their family. The younger children were placed in a foster shelter. In 1935, Nina and Tina were taken in by Mary and Joseph Underwood. The Underwood's raised and treated the girls as if they were their very own children. They lived on the farm in the Clonmel area, near Saltcoats, SK. Nina attended school at Meadowvale. After completing Grade 10, she worked on the farm and helped families in the area wherever she could. Nina often helped the short handed harvest crews in the war years by driving her own team of horses. At a Meadowvale district dance, Nina met her true love, Robert "Rex" Cross. They were united in marriage on June 12, 1947 and the couple made their home on the farm in the Chatsworth district. Together they raised their family of four sons. Nina always planted a huge garden as it was important to her to have enough produce to last all year long. Many hours were spent picking and preserving fruit and vegetables. Nina learned how to sew, patch, knit and most of all play cribbage. She took great pleasure in teaching each of her children and grandchildren to play crib. Through the years, Nina was involved with many organizations. While on the farm, she was a member of the Castleton Ladies' Aid and Chatsworth Curling Club. In Saltcoats, she was a 30 year member of the United Church Choir and also a very active member of the Laketown Leaders Club. Nina was very proud to be a long-time blood donor. In later years, she spent a great deal of time reading and knitting. She entered many of her knitted articles in the yearly Saltcoats Fair and was so proud to bring home many red ribbons. Her family always knew that they could expect a pair of colourful hand-knitted socks under the Christmas tree! Nina loved old-time music, she enjoyed listening to the Memory Lane Band and loved the sound of the bagpipes. She seldom missed the Lawrence Welk Show or the Tommy Hunter Show. By gathering with friends at the Stirling Room or at coffee row, she was able to keep up with the local news and the television was always on at home so she was on top of national and international news as well. Watching curling on television was also a high priority. Throughout her lifetime, Nina was very grateful for her many special friends that were there to give her support and a helping hand whenever she needed them. Nina loved to go out for a meal (Chinese food was a favourite) with friends or family. A ride in the country was always a treat. Whether it was the birds returning and the fresh smell of spring; wildflowers blooming in the summer; all the bright coloured leaves of fall or the sparkling hoar frost on the trees in winter, there was something special about every season for Nina. An early bird, Nina was up at the crack of dawn getting ready for what each new day would bring. In 1983, after 36 years on the farm, Rex and Nina moved to Saltcoats to retire. After Rex's death in 1993, Nina moved into a Senior Rental Unit. In 2015, she moved to Fisher Court in Yorkton and when her health failed she became a resident of the Yorkton & District Nursing Home. Some of the greatest highlights in her life included being reunited with most of her sisters and brothers at a reunion held in Saltcoats in 1986; her 90th birthday party and when she was dealt a perfect 29 hand in cribbage. Nina was predeceased by her birth parents, Cordelia and Herbert Gorrell; by her foster parents, Mary and Joseph Underwood; her husband, of 45 years, Robert "Rex"; four sisters, seven brothers and her grandson, Bryan. Nina leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory, her twin sister, Tina Nesbitt; her four sons, Herb (Jean), Fred (Gena), Ernie (Lisa) and Jim (Cathy); seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many good friends. Nina believed strongly in the Christian faith and had a special place in her heart for the Little White Castleton Church at the five corners on the Chatsworth Road. A Service to Celebrate Nina's life will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. from the Saltcoats United Church in Saltcoats, SK. Friends so wishing may make donations in Nina's memory to the Saltcoats United Church. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting . Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
