Lucille Ross

ROSS, Lucille February 10, 1916 - August 13, 2015 Lucille Eleanor Ross (nee O'Neil) passed away peacefully on August 13, 2015 at the age of 99. The daughter of pioneers James Philem O'Neil and Janet Elizabeth (nee Beaton) O'Neil. Lucille was born in Edmonton on February 10, 1916, moving to Saskatoon when she was a young child. There she met the love of her life, Murray William Ross, her husband of 63 years. After marriage they moved first to Lamont, Alberta, then to Edmonton, and following that spent ten years in Toronto returning to Edmonton in 1959. During her long life, Lucille dedicated herself to her husband and was a strong and loving supporter of every member of her family. Her three children survive her: Janet Catherine Ross-Kerr, Donald James Ross (Elaine Lytwyn) and Margaret Elizabeth Ross. She and Murray were enthusiastic supporters of the Edmonton Eskimos football club and attended games for over 50 years. They also loved and were very involved in square dancing (Whirlways). Besides her children, Lucille is survived by her grandchildren, William Randall Kerr (Lisa Schnerch) and Lori Lynn Kerr (Kerry Nevatte) of Calgary; Shannon Catherine Ross (Stanley Tomas) and Darryl Murray William Ross of Toronto; and her four great grandsons Hayden Riley Kerr, Everett William Kerr and Ethan William Nevatte, of Calgary, and Ben Henry Tomas of Toronto. She is also survived by nieces and nephews; Peggy Ann Field (nee O'Neil), Judy Catherine O'Neil and John Murray Ross of Edmonton, James Peter O'Neil of Spruce Grove, Betsy (nee Ross) Fredrickson, Barbara Hyman and Diana Smallwood of Colorado Springs and Linda Adams of Tucson. Along with her dedication to family, she was a strong advocate and tireless volunteer for vulnerable populations with many non-profit organizations. An energetic and capable community volunteer and leader, she served countless community organizations including Operation Friendship, Edmonton Meals on Wheels, the George Spady Centre, the Bissell Centre and the Royal Alexandra Hospital Women's Auxiliary. She was a founding member of Win House. She was also a tireless volunteer for the United Church of Canada in every community in which she resided. She served as a member of the official board of Highlands United Church and many of its committees, and was a CGIT leader and proud member of the Womens Auxiliary. She represented Highlands United at Edmonton Presbytery for many years. She is predeceased by her husband Murray William Ross (2000), her brother, James Beaton (Peg) O'Neil (1997), sisters-in-law Betty O'Neil (1988, nee Hinchey), Renee Ross (2001, nee Bousquet), Nancy Ross (2005, nee Palmer) and brother-in-laws Judge DonaldSinclairRoss(1975)andJohnHendryRoss (2007). Lucilleapproachedlife withawarm heartanda helpinghand. Though now reunitedwith husbandMurray, brother Peg O'Neil and best friend Betty O'Neil, she will be missed dearly by family and friends alike. Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2015 at Highlands United Church (11305 - 64th Street) with the ReverendJohnBurrell officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund at Highlands U n ite d C hur c h, Oper at i o n F r i ends hi p or Wi n Ho us e t hr ou g h www.canadahelps.org. Condolences may be made online at www.serenity.ca. C1193210