Ellen Rosa Wright Ross departed this life, rejoicing to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Jan. 17, 2019, following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her loving family at Medical City Hospital in McKinney, TX.
The youngest of 14 brothers and sisters, Ellen Wright was born in Huntington, West Virginia, to Carl Thomas Wright and Chesta (née Burden) Wright.
During her teen years, Ellen met and fell in love with her husband-to-be, Floyd Donald (Don) Ross, also of Huntington. The couple were married on Aug. 10, 1955.
From 1964 through 1971, the couple embarked on a series of challenging overseas assignments, contracted through steel industry consulting companies. These assignments took Ellen, Don and their four adventurous daughters to such far-flung destinations as Turkey, The Philippine Islands and Portugal. Don and Ellen took another assignment in India after Don retired. Many wonderful memories and friendships were forged during these overseas years, enriching the family’s appreciation of the diverse cultures of foreign climes. In 1972, the family settled in northwest Indiana, making their home in Springfield Township, east of Michigan City.
In addition to her busy careers as Homemaker and loving Mother, Ellen enjoyed self-expression as a talented hair stylist, and in that capacity spent many productive years providing a bit of glamour and style to the lives of her family and clients.
Ellen and Don’s retirement years found them wintering in Port Aransas, Texas, spending their days basking in the warm climate of the Gulf, while enjoying visits by old friends as well as making new acquaintances with other “Winter Texans.”
Ellen (Maw-Maw to her loving family) is survived by her husband Don; daughters Tina (Mark) Hargrave, Debbie (Ken) Bye, Betsy (Matt) Waszkowski, and Sharon (Brett) Starr; granddaughters Mandy (James) Foreman-Dirks and Savannah Starr; grandsons Brandon (fiancé Kayla Sutherlin) Starr, Scott Foreman, Tyler Waszkowski and Jake Waszkowski; and great-grandsons Noah Pappas and Mason Dirks. The family is very grateful for Ellen’s Christian witness.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and siblings.
A Celebration of Life in Ellen’s memory will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Church of God, 2020 E. Lincolnway, LaPorte, IN 46350.
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