Joan Ross Obituary

Ross, Joan T.

Joan T. Ross, age 93, passed away peacefully during a morning thunderstorm on July 14.

A lifelong Chicagoan, born and raised in Edgewater, she was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Theresa Green, siblings Peggy Harries, Mary Black, and Tom Green, and her devoted husband of 57 years Ron Ross. They met while students at DePaul, where Ron first saw Joanie putting her books in her locker, and decided on the spot that she would be his wife.

Beloved mother of Ellen (Dr. Michael) Sobczak, Rob (Vicki) Ross, and Jamie (Debbie) Ross. Cherished grandmother of Sarah (Ryan) Hutchinson, Claire (Sam) Pacelli, Anne (Dan) Ripma, Kathryn (Connor) Kramer, Christine (Kris) Solum, Cara Ross, Jane (Jake) Mueller, and George and Lily Ross. Dearest great-grandmother of Michael, Jack, Joey, and Alice Hutchinson; Savannah and Kennedy Solum; and Julian Kramer.

Joan was a graduate of St. Gertrude Grammar School, Good Counsel High School, and Mundelein College (1968) in which she enrolled at the age of 33, with three young children, as one of the first entrants in an innovative program designed to help "older" students complete their bachelor's degree. She then started a 30 plus year teaching career in the Chicago Public Schools, where she served on the faculty of Lucy Flower Vocational High School in Garfield Park, as an English teacher and counselor.

An avid reader and perennial student – she obtained 2 master's degrees while teaching and was nicknamed Mrs. A by her husband – she was also a longtime volunteer at the Art Institute of Chicago, decades' long subscriber to the Joffrey Ballet, and a patron of the CSO and the Goodman Theatre. She loved movies and live theatre, the cocktail hour and teatime, her book club friends from Old St. Mary's and her lifelong friend Jessie North, and the exquisite pleasure of a good night's sleep.

Joan was both a wonderful conversationalist and a good listener and enhanced any gathering of any age group with her presence. She was a Catholic who loved her faith and took her baptismal promises and marriage vows seriously. She tolerated her declining health with remarkable resilience and good cheer, and prepared for death without fear or anxiety. She was an example of a life well lived to her family and those who knew her. She will be deeply missed by us all.

Visitation Saturday, July 20th at St. Barnabas Church, 10134 S. Longwood Dr. Chicago from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass 11:00. Int. private. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Emilie's Fund at Smith Village https://smithvillage.org/about-us/emilies-fund. Arrangements entrusted to Donnellan Funeral Home. For info (773) 238-0075 or sign guestbook at www.donnellanfuneralhome.com

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