Obituary of Christine L. Ross

Christine Laforet Ross, 94, beloved wife of the late Dr. Donald J. Ross, Sr., died peacefully Thursday, September 23, 2021.  Born January 7, 1927 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Genevieve Moran Laforet and Henry Joseph Laforet.  She graduated from St. Rose High School in Chelsea, and earned a Bachelors degree in Chemistry from Emmanuel College and a Masters degree in Biology from Boston College where she met the love of her life, Donald J. Ross of Brooklyn, N.Y. After their marriage in 1951, they moved to Bridgeport, CT where he could commute on the train to Fordham University to complete his doctoral degree while teaching full time at Fairfield University.  Christine taught Microbiology and Pathology at St. Vincent’s Nursing School through the 1950’s and into the early 1960’s.  The Jesuits at Fairfield University and the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Vincent’s worked out both of their teaching schedules so that one of them could be home with the children while the other taught.  Sadly, they lost their first daughter, Marie, soon after her birth.  Donald, Jr., Christine, and Edmund kept both parents busy in the early days.

Christine was a woman of great Faith who loved teaching nursing students and who lovingly cared for her family full time after their third child was born.  Her knowledge of science and math and her enjoyment of gardening and cooking were surpassed only by her great love for her family. She was a brilliant woman who valued education for all and instilled her love of learning and the beauty of nature in her children. At a time when higher education for women, particularly in the sciences, was not a common pathway, Christine excelled in her studies and truly loved sharing her knowledge with future nurses. 

Her husband, children, and grandchildren were the joy of her life and nothing made her happier than spending time cooking and sharing a meal with them.  Her greatest legacy was sharing the Catholic Faith with her children by the quiet, spiritual example of her life. She loved reading about Catholic spirituality, gardening, sewing and herbal crafts.  She knit shawls for cancer patients in the quiet of her home, crafted beautiful lavender wands and lovely scented pomanders and modeled patience and endurance through the health trials of age. The family is particularly grateful to the kind and loving Visiting Angels home health aides, Xolisle Mncwabe (Zoey), Oweda Walters Nicholson, and Erica ­­­­­­­Kyeremateng.  

She is survived by her sons Edmund C. Ross and Deacon Donald J. Ross, Jr. (Arlene) and her daughter Christine Ross Earls (Richard) all of Fairfield.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Julie and William Earls, and Mary Kate, Mark, Daniel and John Ross, and great-grandchildren Annabelle, Andrew, Michaela, Jared, and Landyn Ross as well as several loving nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her brothers Dr. Eugene Laforet and Justin Laforet and sister-in-law Margaret Wade. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Pius X Church, 834 Brookside Drive, Fairfield at 11 AM on Wednesday, September 29th. Her burial in Oaklawn Cemetery will be private. 

Donations may be made in Mrs. Ross’ memory to either: Alzheimer’s Association or Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Joseph’s Residence 1365 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT 06082

For travel directions or to sign her online guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com