Deborah Ross

Deborah Ross, 72, passed away on April 7, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of selflessness, vibrancy, and elegance. Debbie was born in Brooklyn, NY and spent her childhood in Merrick on Long Island, NY. In 1976, she married Philip Arthur Ross, ESQ, who convinced her to move across state lines to Fort Lee, NJ. Debbie spent the majority of her adult years in Morganville, NJ where she and Phil raised their children, Richard and Meredith.

Debbie earned her undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Albany. After college, she launched her career in accounting at Benton & Bowles in Manhattan, NY. Debbie paused her career to focus on raising her children, her proudest accomplishment. She ultimately reentered the workforce and enjoyed a successful accounting career at CPC Behavioral Healthcare, a nonprofit organization in Eatontown, NJ.

There was nothing Debbie enjoyed more than spending time with her family. She was always up for a celebration, consistently one of the first people on the dance floor. Debbie was known for her attention to detail, exquisite fashion sense, and thoughtful greeting cards written in perfect penmanship.

Her favorite pastimes include frequenting her and Phil’s second home in Cape May, playing Mah Jong and Canasta with friends, reading, completing New York Times puzzles, and watching her favorite TV shows. Debbie was also a member of Temple Rodeph Torah in Marlboro, NJ and Temple Shaari Emeth in Manalapan, NJ.

She was predeceased by her mother Sybil Handwerker, her father-in-law Sidney Ross, her mother-in-law Lillian Ross, and her brother-in-law Ira Ross.

Surviving is her husband Philip Ross of 50 years, her son Richard Ross and his wife Robyn, her daughter Meredith Ross, her father Samuel Handwerker, her brother Kevin Handwerker and his wife Debbie Cooper, her sister Karen Schlessel and her husband David, her sister-in-law Annette Ross, and her grandsons Ryan and Reid Ross.

Funeral Services will be held on Sunday April 12, 2026 at 11am at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, 44 Wilson Avenue, Manalapan, NJ. Friends and extended family should arrive between 10:15am and 10:45am to pay their respects to the family prior to the service.

Interment will follow at Mount Sinai Cemetery & Mausoleum, 374 Hwy 79, Marlboro Township, NJ 07751.

Donations may be made in Deborah's name to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or Forget Me Not Foundation at www.fmnfoundation.com

Shiva will be held at the following times and locations:

• Sunday following funeral services: Philip & Deborah Ross's home at 11 Narrowbrook Court, Manalapan

• Monday: 4-8pm, 11 Narrowbrook Court, Manalapan

• Tuesday: 4-8pm, 11 Narrowbrook Court, Manalapan; and 6pm in Southern NJ near Philadelphia

• Wednesday: 6pm, hosted by Richard and Robyn Ross at Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club, 915 Glenview Rd, Ridgewood, NJ; and 6pm in Southern NJ near Philadelphia

• Thursday: 6pm, Southern NJ near Philadelphia