Dalynn LaVonne Cross began her mortal journey at Fitzsimmons Hospital in Aurora, Colorado on 11 July 1961.  Her parents, Beverly LaVonne Gibbons and Dale Moritz Cross, were delighted to have a baby girl in the family, as was her older brother, Brian McKinley Cross.

Dalynn (Day/Daye) often recalled her experiences with her mother's poodle breeding business and her large garden.  Perhaps this is partly how Day acquired her strong work ethic.  And when Day was delivering Dolly Madison (?) baked goods, her father, who also delivered for Dolly Madison, told her to always make her boss look good.  Dalynn loved and was helpful to her parents.  She took them to Mexico when Beverly was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Her mother was influential in Day's decision to become a teacher because of a conversation they had when her mother was waning.

Day's brother, Brian, said that she is an amazing musician, that she can play any instrument.  He played drums in their mother's band of accordion players so that he wouldn't have to play the accordion, but Day took to it like a natural.

She mentioned that her mother made her practice the accordion instead of letting her play with her friends, but her diligence certainly paid off.

Over the years, many of Day's friends have been graced with her energetic renditions of Happy Birthday, Amazing Grace, Boogie Woogies and many more.  She loved to sing and had a wide range, but she mostly enjoyed singing tenor and bass.  Many were the choirs who were blessed by her presence.

Dalynn and Brian both graduated from Thompson Valley High School in Loveland, Colorado.  Being the life-long learner that she was, Day attended various colleges and universities throughout her life.  It appears that she received her first teaching certificates in Colorado.  She once recalled that when she was a bus driver,

she won top prize in the Bus Driving on Ice Rodeo. She then went to teach at W.I. Stevenson Middle School in Houston, Texas.  In Ft Worth, Texas, she taught English and Reading at Diamond Hills-Jarvis High School for 26 years.

During her career, she taught at least 3500 students in classroom settings and influenced the lives of many other students and colleagues as well.  Through her hard work and determination, she earned two Masters Degrees and her Doctorate in Education, along with multiple certifications.

When Day retired from DHJ in 2023, she moved to Rexburg, Idaho, to be close to friends who had become family, the Beesleys.  She tried to adapt to retirement and enjoyed part-time employment with the Sugar City HS Drivers Education group, but teaching had become such an integral part of her soul that she couldn't settle in until she received the exciting opportunity to teach Sophomore English at Rigby High School.

At RHS, as always, she quickly became an invaluable member of the team and was extremely grateful for the wonderful friends she grew to love, and who loved her.

Throughout her life, Dalynn had the uncanny ability to notice people who were lonely or struggling in some way.  As an invaluable member of the Texas, Ft Worth Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she cheerfully participated in innumerable service opportunities.  For example: Day was part of a group called SAGES, Singles Adults/Grands & Empty Nesters, who met once a week, even via Zoom during COVID, to lend support and have fun together.

SuuzE Beesley first recognized Day as an eternity friend/sister when at a Church event, SuuzE needed a large black marker at the last minute.  She turned to Day and jokingly asked if she just happened to have one.  Of course, she did!  Wow!  That's our Day.  Always at the ready to lend a hand, save the day, crack a joke, or simply be there.

On one of Day's & SuuzE's road trip adventures, they visited Niagara Falls.  As they rode the large elevator to the bottom of the falls and back up again, Day made 5 new friends going down & another 5 coming back up in perfect Dalynn fashion.  'Twas a joy to watch her work her magic.  Whenever Day went to a convention or anything, Jon Beesley would say something like, 'Oh, another 200 new friends you haven't met yet!'.

So, are we not all blessed to know and love Dalynn Cross?  It is most comforting to realize that thanks to God's Grace, we will be with her again - someday.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Stonebridge LDS Chapel, 475 East 7th North in Rexburg.  There will be a viewing Saturday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the chapel prior to services.

Dalynn Cross program

Service will be broadcasted at: https://my.gather.app/remember/dalynn-cross

Donations for a headstone can be mailed to Jon Beesley, 256 E. 1st N., Rexburg, ID 83440,  or sent via venmo @Jon-Beesley-1