Susan Cable Ross

Susan Cable Ross, age 56, passed away on December 12, 2014 in Raleigh, NC at the Transitions LifeCare Hospice Home. Susan had an incredible spirit and loved and cared for everyone she met unconditionally. A four time survivor of cancer, the first being stage four Hodgkins Lymphoma at age 20, she endured incredible challenges and did so with courage, optimism, and a concern for those around her over herself. She loved everyone she met deeply and unconditionally— the kind of love that she knew to be the truth of Jesus.

Susan was born in Quantico, Virginia on January 5, 1958 to William C. Cable and Janette Wall Cable.

Susan attended Appalachian State University where she studied Art and Interior Design. She had to leave college early to undergo chemotherapy and radiation for Hodgkins lymphoma, which she overcame with her perpetually optimistic, determined and faithful spirit.

She then went to work at Cable’s Frame House in Raleigh, a business her Dad started for her in 1981. Susan married Willard G. Ross in 1984 and moved to the Pinehurst area in 1985. The next four years were incredibly happy, filled with fun times on the lake with friends and family, raising puppies and working for a veterinarian. That period culminated with the joyful birth of a daughter named Hannah on 8/8/88.

The Rosses returned to Raleigh in 1989 and enjoyed many years of family beach trips and outdoor adventures. Susan loved all animals, especially horses. She shared her love for riding and caring for horses with Hannah, and it became a lifelong passion and something they enjoyed doing together. Willard and Susan celebrated their 30th anniversary this past August by visiting a ranch in Wyoming where they rode horses through the Gros Ventre mountains.

After retiring from being a preschool teacher, she selflessly devoted years to caring for her ailing parents and became a deeply loved member of the Elmcroft Assisted Living community, where her father lived until he passed away in August 2014. She befriended many residents and staff. During this time in her life she also began rehabilitating injured or abandoned wildlife—baby squirrels and rabbits—through her involvement with Wildlife Welfare. She always helped those who were ailing, worn down, or alone to feel seen, valued, and loved.

Susan is survived by her husband, Willard Goley Ross and their daughter, Hannah Elizabeth Ross, of Raleigh; her brother, William Scott Cable of Clayton, NC and his wife Annette Cable and their sons Lucas and Jake Cable. She was predeceased by her parents Janette Wall Cable and William Charles Cable and a brother, Stephen Charles Cable.

The family thanks the wonderful staff at Duke Hospital and Transitions LifeCare Hospice Home for caring for Susan through this difficult time. She saw the love of God in the eyes of her nurses and, after a long struggle, felt at peace after her move to the beautiful Hospice Home.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 16 at 2 pm at White Memorial Presbyterian Church at 1704 Oberlin Road. The family will receive friends after the service in the Jane Bell Gathering Space. A private family graveside ceremony will precede the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Transitions LifeCare (formerly Hospice of Wake County) at transitionslifecare.org or Wildlife Welfare, Inc. (PO Box 19432, Raleigh, NC 27619).

Arrangements through Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St. , Raleigh, NC 27605, (919) 828-4311.