Retah M. Ross

Retah M. Ross crossed on February 2, 2011 at 86. Originally from central Michigan, she lived in Ohio, and Pennsylvania, finally settling in the mountains of the Asheville, NC area. Over 20 years ago she moved from North Carolina to Dunedin, FL, where she met and married John Ross, and they began a life of new experiences for them both. They loved cruising to places such as Alaska, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, to Vienna, up and down the Mississippi, to the Keys, and Mexico, to name a few - often accompanied by close friends Bob and Nat Wright. In 2010 Retah and John moved from Lake Highlander MHP to Mease Manor, in Dunedin, where he still resides. This union, which lasted over 20 years, created what today is called, the “blended” family. This “blend” consisted of John’s children - Jim, Judy and Karen, and their families; Retah’s daughter Rebecca Holender - and Ken Holender who has remained close to the family - both live in Dunedin; two other daughters Bonnie and her family, and Lorrie, and former step-daughter Kathy Sykes. Retah’s grandson, Brad Vanderbrook lives in Duluth, MN. She is predeceased by her youngest grandson, Erin Vanderbrook. She is also survived by her sister Margaret Procissi, who lives at Lake Highlander, and her sons, Mark, Paul and Stephen.

Retah loved to needlepoint, knit, design and make her own clothes, quilt. She learned to use the computer on her own and was very proud that she could create various things such as the bingo sheets, used every week at Lake Highlander. She also redesigned the coach on lot 80 to better suit their needs - that redesign included 2 half baths off the master bedroom. She had a great sense of humor - her first needlepoint was Erin at Epcot. She numbered it 25. When asked why she simply said “if anybody tries to collect them all, I want to watch them look for the first 24".

When first coming to Floridia, she became involved in shuffling. John and Retah were both avid shufflers and before giving it up she attained her State Amature Status, for which she was very proud. In recent years she has developed an avid interest in watching the tennis matches.

We will miss her but she is safe with loved ones who have gone before her. We will be together again ... till then.

Arrangements under the direction of Moss Feaster Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dunedin, FL.