Dorothy Ross

Our mother, Dorothy Ross was born in Bristol, England in 1922. After graduation from a Preparatory Boarding School, she married our father, Charles. They both joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) at the beginning of WWII. She served as a wireless operator in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF); and Dad served as a RAF Engineer in the Middle East and Canada. Mom survived two bombings; but sadly they lost everything when a bomb destroyed their home. Her twin brother, a RAF pilot, was shot down at the age of 21 and her younger brother died in a school trip bus accident at age 13. Her sister remained in England but later moved to South Africa.

Food rations and other necessities were restricted severely during the War (1940 and continued until 1954). Mom was expecting her third child. Her doctor, concerned about her health and that of her baby, urged Dad to move her where she could get better nutrition. In desperation, Mom and Dad, along with their two young daughters, boarded an aircraft carrier bound for Canada. It was repatriating Canadian and American military and then returning to Britain with Canadian wheat.

They had very little money and only items they could carry in their suitcases. They settled in a small rural village east of Toronto. Our brother, David, was born in Toronto, Canada, 2 months later. Eventually Dad found work and was able to buy a lot. Dad designed and built (by hand) an International Style house. Mom was raising 3 young children at the time.

Mom was strong and courageous, enduring many hardships during the War and challenges in Canada. She took considerable pride in the care of her home and family. Even in hard economic times (eg. when the aircraft company, for which my father worked, closed), our clothes were washed, pressed and missing buttons replaced. Our meals were strange and unappetizing (e.g. tripe, chicken gizzards, beef tongue and liver), but provided an inexpensive protein and highly nutritious meal. When times were not as dire, Mom spent Sunday afternoons baking our favorite pies; lemon meringue, coconut cream, raisin, apple, etc. which covered the top of our freezer. Mom made the most generously fruit-packed Christmas cake (seasoned equally well with rum), traditional plum pudding and sumptuous trifle.

She was shy, reserved, intelligent and very private. Her favorite activities were shopping at the mall and lunching with her daughter-in-law Kris, (who lived nearby in Clearwater); playing gin rummy, dominos, scrabble and doing cross-word puzzles. She also enjoyed reading works by Jack Higgins, Ken Follett, John Grisham, Mary Clark and others. She was a great history buff and kept current with world affairs. Her mind was sharp until her passing.

She was passionate about the welfare of animals. Before the War, she wanted to study Veterinary Medicine. She rehabilitated many injured animals rescued by her children.

We immigrated to the U.S. in 1964, when Dad was recruited to work in the aerospace program. Dad passed away in 1981. Their only son, David, a Canadian, was drafted and served during the Vietnam War as a helicopter pilot. He was recognized with three Bronze Stars and an Oak Leaf. He preceded Mom in death at the age of 60.

Mom is survived by her daughters, Janet Ross of Wisconsin, Susan (Bill) Cantlon of Michigan; daughter-in-law, Kris Ross of Florida; four grandchildren, Bryan (Angie) Cantlon, Emily (Ryan) Scully, Steven Ross and Allison Ross; four great-grand children, Aiden, Eli and Emerson Cantlon and Sean Scully.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to you the Humane Society of Pinellas, 3040 SR 590, Clearwater, FL 33759