Carol Gross

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Carol Gross, who entered God’s kingdom on Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 at the age of 93 after a long and full life. Carol was born on May 9, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan to Benjamin and Rose Gair. She was the fifth child born with seven more to follow. Carol always prided herself in being able to memorize and recite the names of her parents and all twelve children in age order! The family moved to Brooklyn, New York when Carol was a young child. She met and fell in love with Earle Gross and they married on June 14, 1951 and moved to Levittown, Long Island where they raised three children, Glenda, Wayne and Dawn. When Carol’s children were growing up, the phrase “stay-at-home-mom” didn’t exist. It was usual for women to stay home with the children while their husbands worked outside the home. But even by the standards of the era, Carol was an exceptional wife and mother. Her husband Earle proudly referred to her as a “domestic engineer.” She always kept an immaculate home. She cared so deeply for her family and neighbors because of who she was. She was “mother goose” to all the children in the neighborhood and always welcomed her children’s friends, who referred to her as the “cool mom” in the neighborhood.

Carol was also lovingly nicknamed “the nana-nator” by her grandson-in-law Ray McMurdy! Carol never met a stranger and was so loved by all she touched. She was the embodiment of love and caring, never judgemental or unkind toward anyone. She always saw the best in people. There was so much to be learned from her sweet spirit and loving touch. Her life was a living example of the Bible verse in Ephesians 4:32, “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Messiah.” Carol is survived by and lives in the hearts of her children, Glenda and Butch Chiarello, Wayne and Dara Gross and Dawn Smith; her grandchildren, Jenn and Ray, Krissy, Jamie, Shannon and Eon, Shane, Palmer and Raynell, Stefen and Meghan, Wayne, Kevin and Maggie and Connor; and her 12 great-grandchildren, Kayla, Jacob, Alyx, Quinn, Leila, Toula, Jenna, Eli, Matthew, Liam, Kora and Maverick; her sisters Mildred, Dorothy and Jackie and her best friend Jackie Toohey. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Earle and her loving granddaughter Bunnie Diantha.

Carol will be buried alongside her loving husband Earle during a graveside service at Greenwood Memorial Gardens (Beth El section), 12609 Patterson Avenue, Richmond VA 23238 on Monday, October 30, 2023 at 1:00 pm. A celebration of life will follow at the home of her grandchildren, Jenn and Ray McMurdy from 3:00-7:00pm. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to BrightSpring Hospice Foundation or a charity of your choice in memory of Carol Gross.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodyfuneralhomeparham.com for the Gross family.