Mary Helen Ross

Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever

(Written by her daughter, Janelle)

Mary Helen Ross breathed her last breath in this life, and her next in the presence of God.
She was surrounded by her family, as we prayed and sang her into her final sleep. It was the last act of love that we her family were able to give her. Almost up to her moment of death she was singing praises with us as her son in law Mark played the guitar. It was a sacred time of worship as Mom left this earth.

Mary Helen was a perfectionist who excelled at all that she did and attempted. Whether it was sewing or teaching. She strived to be the best.

She was an accomplished pianist who at an incredibly early age was teaching piano. She played the piano and organ in church, which she loved. Her Baldwin piano was one of her prized possessions that traveled with her far and wide. She was also an amazing artist and seamstress. Her work was flawless.

Mom married Paul Ross in in 1947, she was a mere 17 years old. Together they were able to finish college and get their degrees. They embarked on the adventures of teaching on the Navajo as well as different Pueblos. She took teaching to heart and was amazing at it. Daddy passed away in 1969. This was hard on everyone, but especially a young woman with a young child to take care of. Mom continued on with her education and received a master's degree in Education. An incredible achievement. She went on to become an Education Specialist. She held may a workshop and helped develop so many new ways of ESL Education.

Mom was very beautiful and smart. It was not always easy for her in the time period of which she grew up. Options or women at that time were very limited. She had desires to do something in the Medical Field, or even Engineering, but was never given the chance. Education was where she ended up and shined!

Mom was a very complicated person. She was very guarded of her emotions; it was often difficult to know what she was really feeling. My sister and I tried to understand her, but were not always able. We did know that she loved her family, and that we were all especially important to her.

The last years of her life were the most difficult for her. She was robbed of her sight from Macular Degeneration. It kept her from the independence that she so fiercely needed and wanted. She felt trapped in a body that had aged, and not aged well. When I asked her once if she could change anything she replied that she wanted to be younger. I can understand that now.

I know that Mom is finally at peace. It has been a long journey, but a life well lived.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me. I once was blind, but now I see.