Patricia T. Ross

We are sad to announce the passing of Patricia T. Ross, of Sarasota, FL – formerly of Long Island, NY and Lancaster, PA. She died at age 94 on April 9, 2024. Pat, lovingly known as “Granny Pat,” passed away in Sarasota Memorial Hospital, after a long and happy life, with Melissa Jenkins, her granddaughter-in-law, at her side bringing her and her family much comfort and loving care. Pat was born in Brooklyn, NY to Mary Alice and Joseph Kirkland Wicker and she had an older brother, Lawrence. Her husband of over fifty years, Arnold C. Ross, predeceased her in 2003. She is survived by her daughter, Lynne Ross and her husband, Bob; her son, Craig Ross, and his wife, Nancy; grandchildren Ross Jenkins and his wife, Melissa, R.J. Jenkins and his Partner, Todd Rudnianyn, Jessica Caine and her husband, Matt, and Justin Ross and his wife, Megan; and Tom and Lori Weaver. She is also survived by her great grandchildren: Ross Jr., Julianna and Owen Jenkins, Samuel Caine, and Harper Ross. Pat – or Patsy as her mom always called her – was raised in Brooklyn NY, and enjoyed going fishing with her dad and spending time with friends at Coney Island. She loved the water. She spent many fun weekends at Lake Ronkonkoma with her mom’s family. Her life with Arnold started in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and moved to North Babylon on Long Island a short two years later. They spent many weekends going off on adventures before their children were born. They made a nice home on Long Island and were charter members of their church, Ascension Lutheran Church. Arnold’s mom, Thelma, moved in with them after Arnold Sr. passed. While the children were young, Pat raised her children, was active at their schools as a volunteer, and spent countless hours doing different volunteer jobs at their church. She had a lovely life and dear friends, especially life-long friends, Aunt Mickey, Bella, and Betty. She worked as a sales manager at Macy’s as the children got older and retired from there. She loved being a clown in the Macy’s thanksgiving parade for several years and reminisced about the experience often. She and Arnold retired to Lancaster, PA, where Craig and Nancy lived and she lived there until moving to Florida with Lynne and Bob several years ago. While in Lancaster, Pat spent many hours as a volunteer at her church, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. She ran the church library, set up and ran a pre-school reading program, was an active member of WELCA Women’s group, was a member of the synodical call committee, and started a pediatric hospital reading program for English as a second language parents and children. She also worked at Lancaster General as a volunteer. She loved dolphins, theater, and storytelling, and loved her family most of all. Her legacy of love, laughter, friendship, and volunteerism will keep her memory alive forever. There will be a Celebration of Life honoring Pat at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 790 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34285 on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 at 11AM. It will also be livestreamed on Emmanuel’s FB page. Donations may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Venice, FL or to St. Peters Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Road, Lancaster, PA 34285.

Tributes

Patricia T. Ross

April 9, 2024