Doreen A. Ross Obituary
Doreen Ann Ross passed away peacefully on December 20, 2024. She was born on January 23, 1939, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, to Gerald and Deolinda (Sousa) Pinto. A 1956 graduate of Gloucester High School, she attended Simmons University (then College) in Boston, earning her BS in ED with honors in 1960. At Simmons she took advantage of the stimulating academic setting, excelling at German and literature, frequenting the city's fine art museums and campuses, and making lifelong friends. Doreen dedicated her life to teaching: first in Ludlow, Massachusetts; then in Oakland, California; Madison, New Hampshire; and, finally, Gloucester, where she raised her two sons.
In addition to her career as an innately talented, creative, and well-favored educator, known for bringing the arts and storytelling to the classroom, Doreen was a gifted watercolorist, seamstress, baker (specialties cakes and blueberry muffins), and avid reader. Following Simmons, she entered an innovative teacher education program at Salem State College, earning top honors. Soon after she moved to California, married, and started teaching. In 1966, while in California, she and her then husband, Lawrence Ross, joined the Peace Corps (newly established by President Kennedy), first training at St. John's College, Maryland, then departing for the Philippines, where, over two years, she taught English and math and earnestly served the communities with her multifold skills. At the end of her tour, she gave birth to her first son, Sean, and subsequently traveled to Japan. They returned eventually to California, settling in San Francisco, where Jeremy was born in 1970. In 1972 they moved back to the east coast, living in Eaton Center, New Hampshire, again having contributed to the daily life of another small town, and later in Gloucester, where she taught as a beloved teacher in the public schools until her retirement in 2002.
Doreen is survived by her sister, Natalie Daley, and husband, Martin, of Gloucester, MA; her sister, Evelyn Sutkowski, of Monroe, NJ; Antonia Sousa of California; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Pinto, of Nampa, ID and pre-deceased by her brother, Gerald Pinto. Doreen was a devoted mother to her two sons and their families: Sean and wife, Aliza, of Brooklyn, NY; Jeremy and wife, Jessica, of Salem, MA; and an extraordinary grandmother to Hannah, Zoe, Joaquim, and Violet Ross. She also leaves her nieces, grandnieces, and grandnephews: Natalie Sutkowski; Rosalind Sutkowski (Michael, Sean); and Geraldine Sutkowski (Jonathan, Gabriel, Isaac) and Tane Ross (Adrian, Kaya).
As many dear friends and family will recall fondly, Doreen was a spiritual and aesthetic being, adept in the fine arts and recitation of Transcendental poetry, passionate collector of antique china, especially Spode decorated plates, strong proponent of proper grammar, true lover of San Francisco, and a generous, trusted advisor and guide who bestowed her wisdom and appreciation of the world's natural beauty onto those open to it. Throughout her many years in Gloucester, she was affectionately greeted by her innumerable students as a singular mentor and model of compassion. To her grandchildren, she will be missed for her deep warmth and beautiful presence that filled her comforting home.
And when she shall die, Take her out and cut her out in little stars and she will make the face of heaven so fine, Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare.
Visitation will take place on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 12 p.m. in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester followed by a service at 1 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
