Obituary of Cruise, Joann Mullen

Jo Ann Cruise, age 72, died of natural causes June 17, 2019 in her home in Farmers Branch, Texas. Born Jo Ann Mullen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 5, 1946 to Joseph and June Mullen, the third of five siblings - Joseph James Jr., Judith (Astle), Jo Ann (Cruise), Michael, and Mary Ann (Shirey). Their family home was in Boyertown and then in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Jo Ann attended school at St Peter's Elementary and St Pious High School, then began her medical career assisting in the operating room at Pottstown Memorial Hospital. She met Larry Cruise on a blind date and they married March 3, 1973 at St Aloicious Church in Pottstown. They lived happily together in Spring City and on Charlotte Street in Pottstown, having two sons: Jeffrey O'Brien on January 23, 1975 and Patrick Michael on February 16, 1978. Larry's work in telecommunication took the family to Plainview, Texas in 1982, where they lived happily for many years. When the children were in school, Jo Ann also returned to school at Texas Tech, earning her R.N. and continuing her passion for healing at the local Covenant Hospitals in both Plainview and Lubbock. Larry's work moved them again in 2002 to Farmers Branch, Texas, where they enjoyed wonderful new neighbors and friends together. They enjoyed wine and antiquing together, searching for unique heirloom pieces and favoring both classical and art deco styles. Her eldest son Jeff joined the army after high school, married in Iowa in 2005, and now lives in South Dakota with a career in electrical engineering. Her younger son Patrick is passionate about making music, married outside Chicago in 2010, and now lives in Austin, TX with a career in banking. Though Larry passed away tragically after a short battle with cancer in 2008, thankfully Jo Ann was never alone as she was blessed with the company of her wonderful Mary Immaculate Catholic Church and neighborhood communities, as well as her beloved rescue dogs throughout the years. She was an avid reader and loved to bake, and often dreamed about opening a bakery and cake shop in the nearby Town Square.  Jo Ann also enjoyed traveling throughout her retirement years to visit family for holidays, weddings, Sister's Weeks, and other special occasions. She also discovered a love for exploring the world on cruise ships with dear friends, venturing to Spain, Italy, and Rome as well as the Northeast coast from New York to Canada to enjoy the majesty of fall foliage. Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and June Mullen, beloved husband Larry Cruise, and brothers Jimmy and Mike Mullen. She is survived by her loving family, sons Jeff (wife Alicia) and Patrick (wife Christine) Cruise, sisters Judy Astle and Mary Ann (husband Ernie) Shirey, sister-in-law Robbie Mullen, nieces Amy (husband Jeremy, children Trent & Olivia) Larson, Kristen Shirey, and Nicole (husband Phil, child Amelia) Care, and many dear cousins. Visitation and viewing will be on Friday, June 21, 2019 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (Noon) in the Brooks Family Chapel of the North Dallas Funeral Home, 2710 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, Texas 75234. Funeral Mass will follow  the viewing at 1:00 pm at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church 2800 Valwood Parkway, Farmers Branch, Texas 75234. Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.