Connie Cross Kearns

Connie Cross Kearns, of North Ridgeville, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, surrounded by her loving family in the comfort of her home after a long and courageous battle with illness. She was 77.

Connie was born on August 8, 1948, in Louisville, Kentucky, the only child of Glenn and Dorothy Cross. It was there that she met her lifelong best friend, Linda Condit.

She graduated from Atherton High School in Louisville in 1967 and later attended Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. While Jeff Kearns was serving in Vietnam, the two met through a pen pal notice in a university newspaper. Their correspondence grew into a lifelong love story, and they were married on October 2, 1971. They eventually made their home in Elyria, Ohio, where they raised their family together.

Connie dedicated more than 20 years of service to Elyria Memorial Hospital as an X-ray technologist in the Emergency Department. She found great fulfillment in caring for others, and her kindness, compassion, and professionalism left a lasting impression on countless patients, coworkers, and friends.

Above all, Connie cherished her family. She loved preparing meals for those she loved, always taking pride in making every gathering feel special. Even during her illness, caring for others remained second nature to her.

Connie also had a deep love for the outdoors. She was an avid hiker who logged more than 13,000 official miles with the Cleveland Hiking Club, along with many thousands of additional miles spent exploring nature on her own. She found joy in birdwatching and feeding the birds, and she enjoyed cross-stitching, knitting, reading, and spending quiet moments outdoors.

Her strength and determination were an inspiration to everyone who knew her. Although she was once given only a short time to live, she courageously fought for nearly a decade longer, embracing every opportunity to spend more time with her family and to watch her grandchildren grow.

Connie was also a devoted animal lover whose dogs were treasured members of her family. She was preceded in death by her beloved dogs Daisy, Ace, Stormy, Mandy, and Maggie. She is lovingly remembered by her grand-pups: Baker, who lives with Rob and Angela, and Minnie, Little Foot, Bowser, and Phat (Nell), who live with Michael and Aubrey. They brought her countless smiles and unconditional love.

Connie is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, Jeff Kearns; her sons, Robert (Angela) Kearns and Michael (Aubrey) Kearns; her beloved grandchildren, Aiden, Pierce, and Rose Kearns; her sister-in-law, Pattie Smith; her brother-in-law, Mike Kearns; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cherished cousins in Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Dorothy Cross; her aunts and uncles, Keith Cross, Eileen Cross Perry, Lyle Cross, Jessie Roth, Hazel Campbell, Helen Gilchrist, and Phyllis Kane; along with other beloved family members.

Connie’s family finds comfort in knowing that her life was one of service, love, and quiet strength. Whether through her work in the Emergency Department, her thousands of miles on the trails, or the care she poured into her family, friends, and beloved pets, she touched the lives of countless people. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Family and friends are invited to gather at St. Clarence Church in North Olmsted to celebrate Connie’s life. There will be an opportunity to pay respects beginning at 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. A light luncheon will immediately follow the service. All who knew and loved Connie are warmly invited to join the family in celebrating her remarkable life and the enduring legacy of love, compassion, and strength that she leaves behind.