Margaret Ann Gross

Ann and her twin sister Jean were born in El Paso, Texas March 14, 1922, to John Brice Growdon and Margaret Ann O'Boyle Growdon. The family moved to Fresno soon thereafter. Ann would reside there all her long and happy life.

Ann is survived by her children JoAnn Sindt, Erin Dugan and her husband John, Brice Gross and his wife Kathy, Libby Espejo and her husband Ron, and Jerry Gross and his wife Loretta; by her grandchildren Elena Evans, William Nelson, Aaron Nelson, Laura Sindt, John Gross, Matthew Gross, Katie Espejo, Corrie Espejo, Brent Gross, and Carson Gross and by nine great grandchildren. She is survived also by her brother Bill Growdon and sister Dottie Cornacchia, and many nieces and nephews.

She is welcomed in heaven by her beloved husband John O’Neal Gross, her parents, her brother John Growdon, and her sisters Jean Richardson, Ellen Smith, Gertie Piper, Louise Dandois, and Virginia Holt.

Ann and her siblings attended St. John’s Elementary School and Roosevelt High School. Following her graduation, Ann worked for her father at Growdon Brothers Paper Company until the outbreak of World War II. She then answered the call for secretarial personnel at the United States Army Air Corps base at Hammer Field in Fresno. There she met the dashing crew chief who was to become her life partner. John Gross and Ann Growdon were married January 20, 1946 and were blessed with 25 blissful years.

The Gross family attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church where Ann served many years in the Mother’s Club and the Altar Society. She was a lifelong member of the Young Ladies Institute, and enjoyed many lasting friendships.

After her husband’s sudden passing in 1971, Ann worked in the insurance industry. She also served a lengthy term on the Fresno City Housing Authority. She traveled extensively to destinations throughout the US and Hawaii, and made a cherished pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Bosnia.

In later years, Ann shared her home with her nephew Jake Maselli, who proved to be a loving caretaker as well as a worthy adversary in their battle of wits.

Ann’s Catholic faith sustained her all her life. She leaves a legacy of deep love for her family and generosity for all.