Obituary of Betty Ross

Betty Ann Ross, 57, of Sunrise Avenue in Dowagiac, passed away at her home on Saturday, October 13, 2007 after a short battle with cancer. Betty was born on February 27, 1950 to the late James and Mary Ann (Frank) Sloan in Coloma, Michigan. She was the oldest of 3 girls in the Sloan household. After graduating from high school Betty wed the love of her life, Leonard Ross, at a ceremony on October 11, 1969 in Coloma. Together they had 3 beautiful daughters. After high school Betty went back to school to become an EMT and Firefighter. One of Betty's main joys in life was helping others. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister on top of being the first female firefighter to join both the Hagar Fire Department and the Dowagiac Fire Department. Betty was also one of the original full time members of the Dowagiac Ambulance. She enjoyed serving other so much that after all of that she became an employee of the Cass County Council on Aging where she enjoyed interacting with so many new and diverse people. She is preceded in death by her parents. Betty is survived by her husband, Leonard, of 38 years, daughters Tamara (David) Pond of Niles, Tracy (Donald) Gilmer of Niles and Nicole Ross of Dowagiac, sisters Barbara Sloan-Walker and Shirley (Don Boswell) Sloan-Boswell, both of Live Oak, FL and 6 wonderful grandchildren. A time of visitation will be held on October 17, 2007 at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles at Noon where Betty's funeral will follow at 2:00 in the Afternoon. Betty will be interred at the Mission Hills Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home of Niles.