Mary Ellen Ross

Today we thank God for Mary Ross, a loving and compassionate wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who passed away surrounded by family on September 17, 2018, after a long illness.

Mary started dating the love of her life, Donald K. Ross, Sr., as a 15-year-old high schooler. Over nearly 67 years together, Mary and Don were inseparable as they built a large, close-knit family of 6 children and their spouses, 23 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren (and counting). Mary was dedicated to, and fiercely protective of, her family. She radiated a loving pride, day after day, year after year, and decade after decade, to the very end.

Mary’s love and caring shaped her family. From exhorting her children to commit to loving relationships, to bonding during family vacations, to lending an ear (and an opinion or three) during an intimate chat, and even to bursting into tears over the family dog, Mary was always “there” for her loved ones. She dedicated special time, one-on-one, to building relationships with each member of her ever-growing family. Nobody ever doubted that Mary would be there for them to celebrate every triumph or confront any difficulty.

Mary held on until the morning of her beloved husband’s birthday, which is fitting, because her life was a precious gift to all of us. She now reunites with her loving parents, whose own lives passed far too soon, and other family and friends who were waiting at Heaven’s gates to embrace her.

We miss Mary with all of our hearts. We take comfort that she is at peace. Mary lives on with God, but also with us, through the love she instilled in her family and the example she set of a life founded on kindness, generosity, and, above all, togetherness.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 21st at 1:30 p.m. at San Marco Catholic Church, 851 San Marco Rd., Marco Island. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 20th at Hodges-Josberger Funeral Home, 577 E. Elkcam Circle, Marco Island. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 975, Marco Island, FL 34146.