Nina Cross

October 30, 1940 - April 19, 2020

Nina Cross 10/30/1940- 04/19/2020 Nina passed away on April 19,2020 which was on one of her favorite holidays, Russian Orthodox Easter. She was 79 years old. Nina Cross was born as Nina Burkovsky on October 30, 1940 in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. She was preceded in death by her parents Vasilij Burkovsky and Anna Burkovsky. Robert Cross (husband), Peter Burkovsky (younger brother), Linda Burkovsky (Sister in-law). She is survived by her two children Lisa Musulman & Sean Cross, Christopher Musulman (Son in-law), Lorenia Cross (Daughter in-law). Her four grandchildren who were her greatest pride & joy: Nicholas Musulman, Connor Musulman, Taylor Musulman and Zephania Cross. Her older Brother Dimitry Burkovsky, Nieces Karin Burkovsky, Denise Ferraro and her Grand Nieces & Nephews: Sage Mora, Ivy Meek, Xae Crockett, Orin Crockett, Olive Crockett, Alexa Ferraro & Cameron Ferraro She was the only girl and middle child. Her family escaped from Czechoslovakia and made it to the states (California) when they were young children. She went to High School in Santa Paula and then to UCLA where she graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She majored in German and had a minor in Russian. She worked as a social worker for an adoption agency. Then she had her children and stayed home with them until she went back to work at Equitable and later SAG where she retired from. Something many don’t know is that Nina and her brothers grew up speaking Russian to their father, German to their mother, the parents spoke Chech among themselves and the children English among themselves. Four languages in one household! She moved to Covina in the early 1970’s where she remained the rest of her life. Nina cherished the friendships she made throughout her life and she kept in touch with them all. She enjoyed journeys, luncheons and dinners with friends. She was known for always bringing friends and family together. She loved reading mysteries, and boy did she ever have an amazing collection of books! She also loved participating in Tai Chi classes. She had a collection of hummels and other trinkets and collectable items. She said they gave her much joy and wanted us to share them with family to remember her. After her passing so many of her friends told her daughter that Nina was their best friend. She made the holidays extra special. She loved the holidays and celebrating with family so much. Russian Easter and Christmas Eve she hosted every year at her house. For Christmas she would stay up late weeks before baking the numerous Family Christmas cookie recipes and would freeze them. She even made them last year all by herself. Thanksgiving was always at Uncle Dimitry and Aunt Linda’s house as well as Fourth of July. She usually went to Lisa’s house for Halloween and her Birthday and also to Lisa’s for New Year’s Eve. We made our traditional NYE sandwiches. She made Birthdays extra special and always made the “Family Cake’ for us. She managed to surprise us with it so many times! Not sure how she did that, but she did. Nina enjoyed vacationing with Lisa’s family to places like Maui, The Big Island, Kauai, Oceanside, Solvang, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Disneyland, Napa. She went on nearly every one of their family trips. She also went on so many outings and school field trips. She loved to go to her grandson’s soccer games and to Taylor's Plays and performances. Zephania, her youngest grandson enjoyed having her read to him and he often would read to her. He loved to dance for her and she got to see him in a skit which made her happy. So many wonderful memories were made. She was the best grandma ever! She did so many sweet things for her grandchildren. Zoos, movie theaters, baking, played cards and games with them, took them for frozen yogurt and to places they asked her to take them to. She always gave Connor a head rub. Something he always asked for. She & Taylor would stay up talking and playing cards until 12 or 1am! She was so happy and so proud to see her first grandson Nicholas graduate high school. She was also there to see her only granddaughter born. Taylor was born at home. She loved them all so very much and they all loved her so, so much. She was the most giving person ever and spent very little on herself. As hard as she worked, she made a point to save for her grandchildren up until the very end. And we never knew just how much until after she left us. A friend of the family, Dave had said this, “There are many people that are good, but your mom loved you all so much, she was more than just good, she was extra special. She took care of her family.” Sadly, she died unexpectedly in a nursing home in Redlands. She had been there for her final rehab & care before plans to get discharged to go home to her daughter. Her daughter Lisa, who had been visiting her nearly every day for many hours each day was no longer allowed to visit when Covid hit in March. No one was allowed to visit any nursing homes anymore. It was beyond devastating and heartbreaking to not be able to visit her and give her love in person. We had plans to get her out and to her daughter in April, but sadly she passed away there and never made it out to us. We are so saddened that she had to die there without her family by her side. Everyone who came in contact with Nina was touched by her warmth as well as her ability to make you feel immediately at home. She was a hard worker and the best mom, grandma, mother in-law, Sister, Sister in-law, friend and Aunt that anyone could ever ask for. We will miss her so much. Holidays will never be the same without her It is with great sadness, as well as gratitude, we celebrate a life well lived, we announce the passing of our beloved Nina Cross.