Joan Fiona Ross

Joan Fiona (nee Brewer) Ross, 76, widow of Jay Norton Ross, entered the arms of her Savior on Saturday morning, July 2, 2022 at JourneyCare Hospice, in Arlington Heights. Joan was born in Keighley, Yorkshire, England on 1 February 1946 to Horace and Helen (Taylor) Brewer, and lovingly raised by Helen and her second husband, Herbert Speight. Joan spent her early years in England, coming to the United States as a young adult.

Joan enjoyed many activities during her life - curling, theater, interior decorating, and her bichon frise dogs. In recent years, she served as a concierge at the Margarita European Inn, in Evanston.

She was active in supporting hospice programs, fundraising for various charities, and in supporting Purdue University through a scholarship fund in honor of her late husband. She loved the historic Shakespeare Globe Theater, in London, England. Joan was actively involved in supporting its renovation and continued programming, including leading significant fund-raising efforts in the Chicago area for rebuilding the theater. Joan enjoyed watching British sports, including football, tennis, and curling.

Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jay, her parents, and her sisters, Helen Inman and Dwayne Moore.

Joan loved her family, doing all she was able to support and encourage them. She is survived by her son Jason Ross (Stacy) and grandsons Cameron and Oliver. She is further survived by her step-children Heather (Alan) Ross of Wisconsin, Kevin (Lindsay) Ross, of South Carolina, and Eric (Lisa) Ross of Texas; eleven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her friend and sister-in-law, Doris Jean Ross, and her children Debbie (Mariusz) Cole-Zoladz, Robert Kenney, and Rich (Cheryl) Kenney.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 8, 2022 from 11:00am until time of the funeral service at 1:00pm at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home & Cemetery, 17W201 Roosevelt Rd., Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. Interment to follow at 1:45pm at Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Jay.