Obituary: Pat Ross

Pat Ross, 86, of Windermere, passed away October 27, 2017. Born May 16, 1931, in Orlando, Pat was raised in Ocoee, Florida, by William and Bennye Lou Pease, one of the pioneering families of Ocoee.

Patsy, as she was affectionately called, was a lifelong resident of West Orange County, graduating from Lakeview High School in 1949. She attended Stephens College and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis.

Pat went on to work at the University of Florida in cancer research before marrying Jack Ross of Oakland, Florida, in 1957. Pat and Jack resided on the shores of Lake Butler, where they raised their two children, Brenda and Jim.

They enjoyed boating and swimming, and she was an avid photographer and enamel artist. Pat was an ADDitions volunteer at Windermere Elementary School for several years assisting migrant children with English.

She gardened, drove countless car pools to her children’s sporting events and competed in a Winter Garden bowling league. She treasured time at her family’s mountain cabin and watching her grandkids grow up. Later, Pat and her caregiver, Thelma, could be seen traveling in town and even on a Disney cruise. Pat always enjoyed swimming and shopping and had a special fondness for chocolate.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Jack Ross.

She is survived by her daughter, Brenda (Stan) Smith; and son, Jim (Jennifer) Ross; grandchildren, Ross (Brittany), Will, Sara and Alli Smith, and Delanie, Ansley and Brayden Ross; and great-grandson, Beckham Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, wghf.org. The family will hold a private service. For more information and to sign the guestbook, go to collison.careyhand.com.