Dorothea Ross

Dorothea Regina Ross, 83, of Westernport, passed away peacefully at home with family members at her side on December 20, 2023, following a long battle with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a type of blood cancer.

Born on May 4, 1940, in Keyser, WV, Dorothea was the only daughter of William and Dora (Ord) Stine.

Dorothea lived in Piedmont, WV, until age 13 and then lived the rest of her life in Westernport, MD. Following her graduation as valedictorian from St. Peter's High School in 1958, she worked at the WV Pulp and Paper Company in the finishing department before transferring to the tabulating department, where she worked until becoming a stay-at-home mother to her four children. After her youngest daughter was in high school, Dorothea was employed by the Allegany County Public Library's Westernport branch until 1997.

A member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Westernport, Dorothea's favorite place in the world was her home, where she enjoyed reading, gardening, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, watching wildlife, and the companionship of her family and pets.

Dorothea will be remembered for her devotion to her family and her kind and generous spirit; she was always interested in learning about other people's lives, experiences, and stories, listening with compassion, empathy, and her undivided attention.

The warmth and kindness she radiated to others was showered upon her during her illness. She expressed deep gratitude for all the cards, phone calls, flowers, and prayers of support she received from local and distant family and friends as well as the loving care provided by Dr. Qamar Zaman and staff of the Schwab Family Cancer Center, UPMC Western Maryland Hospice, and Comfort Keepers Home Care.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, John Edwin Ross Jr., and her four children, John (Jack) E. Ross III and wife Nina of Moab, UT, Jill A. Ross of Morgantown, WV, Jeffrey W. Ross and wife Stacy of Hellertown, PA, and Joy M. Musgrave and husband Jeffrey of Paden City, WV. She also leaves behind five beloved grandchildren, Helen F. Ross, Katherine T. Ross, Owen J. Ross, Elana B. Ross, and Joshua R. Musgrave. She is also survived by her dear brother, William H. "Bill" Stine, of Keyser, WV, as well as many cousins and their families.

Friends and family will be received on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, from 11 AM to 1 PM at Divine Mercy St. Peter of Westernport. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the church at 1 PM with Fr. Ed Hendricks.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Divine Mercy Parish, 44 E. Main Street, Frostburg, MD 21532, and the Schwab Family Cancer Center of UPMC Western Maryland, 12500 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland, MD 21502.

The Fredlock Funeral Home is honored to be caring for the Ross family.