Obituary of Kathleen "Katie" Ross

ROSS, Kathleen E. “Katie”- Halifax; died Saturday, November 27, 2010 at the age of 89 at Melville Lodge, Halifax NS., following an eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The eldest daughter of Hazel (Clarke) and Walter Aitken, she was born on November 14, 1921 in Grand Entrée on Iles de la Madeleine, moving soon after to Pictou, NS where she grew up. Attending Pictou Academy, Kathleen received the Governor General’s Medal for scholastic achievement and was the Valedictorian of her graduating class, following which she became a Secretary for the Department of Education in Halifax. On September 12, 1942, Kathleen married the love of her life, 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Canadian Navy, Grant MacGregor “Greg” Ross. Highlights of the wedding were the groom’s rendering of “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen” and the service conducted by Dr. William C. “Billie” Ross, Greg’s father. From Halifax, Katie and Greg moved to St. John’s Newfoundland where their home became a centre of hospitality for sailors of many nationalities stationed there. Near the end of the war, Greg was transferred to Esquimalt BC and Katie often shared stories of her cross-Canada journey by train to join him there. Following the war’s end, they settled in Sackville NB. Home, family and community all benefitted from Katie’s time, talents, and love and 26 Lansdowne St. and the cottage at Rayworth Beach were gathering places where friends and family shared meals and lots of fun. One of her greatest pleasures was caring for the altar, linens, sacramental vessels, and flowers of St. Paul’s Anglican Church. In addition, she was Commissioner of Guides, Secretary of the Antiquarian Society, President of the VON Board, Sackville Music Festival and other community organizations and never missed a concert at Mount Allison University. Katie loved to read and learn and her encyclopaedia was the source of tremendous pleasure for her along with her large collection of books and magazines. Working together, she and Greg shared their love of gardening and created a delightful variety of gardens at each of the homes they owned. Later in life, indoor plants filled their smaller properties and were lovingly nurtured. In 1970, they moved to Dartmouth where Greg developed the first Business Administration Program at the Dartmouth Vocational School and, while studying for his Bachelor of Education, Katie participated with him, assisting with much of the research and information he required in his courses. They felt his degree was a shared achievement! Moving to Halifax in 1985, Florida was their winter refuge for many happy years of retirement and they had a wonderful time in both homes with family and friends. For the past 4 years, Katie and Greg have delighted in participating in the social life of Melville Heights Residential Home. Katie is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Grant MacGregor Ross; children Shelagh (Walter) Rayworth of Amherst NS, Grant Macgregor Jr. (Jamie Germaine) Ross of Charlottetown PEI, and Andrew (Susan) Ross of Halifax NS.; sister Miriam (Bill) Franklin of Picton ON; grandchildren Christopher (Stephanie More) Rayworth, Kathleen Rayworth, Geoffrey and Iain Ross and Jenna and Paul Germaine, Lauren and Evan Ross; great granddaughter Alexandra Rayworth and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, sister Florence (Bea) Murphy and brother Clarke Aitken. A memorial service, conducted by Rev. Dianna Frye, will be held in the chapel at Melville Heights, 24 Ramsgate Lane, Halifax NS on Monday, November 29, 2010 at 1:30 pm, followed by a celebration of Katie’s life in the ballroom. Interment will follow at a later date in Pictou, NS. Family support is being provided by J. A. Walker Funeral Home (2005) Ltd., Spryfield, information is available from 902-477-7906. Donations can be made to the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation or any charity of choice. Thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Melville Heights and Melville Lodge who so lovingly cared for Katie in the last year of her life. Katie’s love of music, dancing and her delightful smile have endeared her to many over the years and she will be greatly missed by all those who shared her life.