Margaret Crossley had strong ties to agriculture

Margaret M. Crossley, a longtime Loomis resident, has died at age 83. Born Sept. 12, 1924 in Rushville, Neb., she died April 16, 2008 at Sutter Roseville Medical Center after a very brief illness.In 1941, at the age of 17, she began working in the Loomis fruit industry, where she met Frank William Crossley, who would later become her husband. Affectionately called "Gram" by family and friends of all ages, Mrs. Crossley was proud of her agricultural heritage. She continued to raise beef cattle, plums, pears, peaches and vegetables in her home orchards and gardens.She was also honored that her husband's ranch, homesteaded in 1853, was inducted into the State of California 150 Year Club in 2003. In 2002, she was selected as Cattle Woman of the Year, representing the Placer-Nevada Cattlewomen's Association. The Loomis Chamber of Commerce bestowed on her the Neighborly Native award.Mrs. Crossley was a longtime 4-H leader and charter member of the Placer County Livestock sale committee.She enjoyed attending and volunteering at the Loomis Senior LIFE Center and the Rocklin Senior Café.Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Patty and Graham Hooper of Bliss, Idaho, and Barbara and Ken Mackey of Loomis, as well as her grandchildren, Cindy Kinder, Tim Hooper, Laura Hooper and Stephanie Mahlberg. She was preceded in death by Frank, her husband of 39 years.Friends and neighbors are invited to attend graveside services, to be held at 1 p.m. Monday, April 28, at Newcastle District Cemetery.The family requests any memorial donations be made in Mrs. Crossley's name to the Loomis Senior LIFE Center.