Mary C. Ross Collis

Dr. Mary Christine Ross Collis, EdD., passed away on July 5th, 2015 at 12:21 a.m., at the age of 62, after a long and extensive battle with Breast Cancer. She was surrounded by her devoted husband, Jerry Collis of 21 years, her brother Allan Ross and her caring, extended family.

Mary Christine was born on May 26th, 1953 in Phoenix, Arizona to LouBelle Marie Ross Durand and Wayne Lowell Ross. A lifelong Arizona native, Mary grew up in Phoenix, completing Camelback High School in 1971, attending Arizona State University and graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in English/Language Arts-Teacher Education in 1974. She went on to Texas Christian University to complete her Master’s of Arts in Education in 1981. Several years later, Mary continued her education to complete her Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University in 1996.

Mary was employed for 27 years by the Isaac School District where recently, she worked as a reading specialist. In addition, for 21 years Mary taught as an Adjunct Professor for Glendale Community College, where she influenced and advanced the critical thinking of her students. In her service to her students, Mary influenced the lives of many with her charismatic personality, smile, contagious laugh and humor. She was sure to engage even the most challenging students. Always a passionate, dedicated and thoughtful educator, and in the face of her advancing disease, Mary continued to work with her students until as recently as April 2015. Her courage and determination in confronting her illness were an inspiration.

Mary was an airplane pilot, comedian, debutant, passionate educator, explorer, loving wife, scuba diver and world traveler and an accomplished writer. Mary celebrated her fifty-fifth birthday by a day skydiving. She lived life fiercely, and was driven, successful and extremely intelligent.

Mary enjoyed open and challenging discussions across a broad range of subjects. Mary had a deep sense of pride for her Arizona State University Sun Devils, which was cultivated by generations of season football ticket holders. The love of the Sun Devils caused friendly friction whenever the University of Arizona Wildcats came to town for the battle known as the Territorial Cup.

Throughout the years, she belonged to The Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots, The Sun Angel Foundation, National Rifle Association, and was a Cuthbert-Douglas Scholar at Oxford University with the English Speaking Union. She travelled to Cuba and Russia with People to People International (travel promoting education).

In lieu of flowers, donations to Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research or the Arizona Humane Society Working Cats Program are requested.

Her parents LouBelle M. Ross Durand and Wayne L. Ross preceded her in death as well as her sister, Elizabeth Ross Lidberg and nephew, Michael Lee Lidberg. She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Jerry Collis, her brother, Dr. Allan Ross, MD., (Betty), nephews Paul (Cheryl), Christopher (Katie Cowhey), Allan Jacob Ross and nieces, Annmarie (Jason Baldwin), Kristen Ross, Ashley Kicklighter, Allan Jacob Ross and Sophia Ross. Mary is also survived by several grandnephews and grandnieces.

Memorial services are scheduled for Friday, July 17th at 7pm at Central United Methodist Church in Phoenix, Arizona; followed by a reception at the church.