Jean Vera Ross

~Monkees

“I Dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair, born like a vapor on the Summer air”

~Stephen Foster

Music always had an important place in Jean Vera Ross’ life, whether dancing a cha-cha with her husband, singing songs with her daughter or doing the Congo kick holding onto her walker.

Jeanne with the light brown hair. What a love affair she had with life and with John Joseph Ross for over 50 years. They were such true soulmates that young ones in the family thought they had one name, “jackandjean”. Jack didn’t even have Jean’s address when he wrote to her from the war in China, but somehow God saw to it that his letters would be delivered ~the delivery resulting in a future marriage proposal. They tried to start a family but it took them eleven years for their one and only daughter, Donna Jean Ross, to be born. In the meantime they established wonderful careers at General Motors in Detroit, both of which they were very proud of. Jack was so good at his job he became a Senior Engineer and Jean, while being “Den Mother” to her colleagues also received Nuclear Clearance at the highest level. They enjoyed a beautiful life in Mt. Clemens and Warren, Michigan and eventually a fulfilling retirement in Dunedin, Florida. Jack left the earth in 1993 but never left her heart and the only good of her death is that they are finally back together again in Heaven.

Jean’s journey continued after Jack’s passing though, supporting her daughter’s career. They lived all over the country ~ from Cleveland to New York; Los Angeles to Nashville. It was in Nashville Jean found her final and forever home. Jean and Donna did everything together and were best friends as well as roommates. Through these years Jean thrived creatively and honed her seamstress, knitting and crafting talents making friends happy with her homemade works of art~all made with extreme loving care. If you were lucky enough to have received a Granny Jean treasure you would likely still have it in your possession. Jean also traveled extensively during this period visiting The Caribbean, Italy, Lake Tahoe, Napa, Memphis, New Orleans, Palm Springs, Poland and Seattle.

Jean was playful yet fierce ~ full of life! A listener, confidant, friend, neighbor, Sister and Greatest Mother of All Time. She never had a bad word for anyone and never uttered a four letter word. She was kind and gentle and the most selfless person you’d ever meet. She wanted nothing for herself and only the best for her daughter, family and friends.

She especially loved her family, husband, John Ross; parents, Sophia and Nick Pelushewski ; brother Nick ( deceased) and is survived by her daughter Donna Ross of Nashville; sister Helen Smyczynski of Warren, Mich., adopted son and daughter, Susan and Randy Torpin of Oxnard, CA. many cousins, nieces, nephews and Godchildren ( everyone wanted her to be their Godmother!)

Jeanne also loved her fur babies/Grandchildren of which there were many: she loved Andy, Max, Mooshu, Cow Cow, Zuzu, Frida, Ming, Baachus, Bella, Gracie, Dr. Miao, Hinoki, Chanel, Nobu and Charlie. Charlie misses her most.

In Jeanne’s final period she loved to cook with her daughter. She loved to eat Kentucky Fried Chicken after a good Dr.’s visit. When she got her hair styled there was a bowl of Dum Dum’s at the counter and she would always ask for not one but two and look guilty with glee ( see photo) Mom loved to read, do puzzles, watch Columbo, Wheel of Fortune and Price is Right. She treasured speaking to her sister, Helen, every day of her life.

Her life was simple but elegant; full of purpose and respect. Her purpose was LOVE. We were all touched by her and her love is in us all ~to live forever.

In lieu of flowers, please turn your kindness towards either of these charities:

Nashville Humane Society

https://www.classy.org/give/241612/#!/donation/checkout

St. Jude

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html

Jean’s Mass for the repose of the soul will be at Christ the King, Nashville, TN March 3, 2021 at 6PM

Jean’s ashes will be interred at Curlew Hills Memory Garden, Palm Harbor, FL along side of Jack.