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PETERSBURG -- Sandy Ross, 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, surrounded by her loving family after a brief illness.
Sandy was born in Youngstown on July 18, 1942, to Leo and Thelma Burkett Schaeffer.
She attended East High School, where she was head majorette. During her senior year there, she met the love of her life, Gene Ross. Gene came to pick up his sister, Mary Beth, from cheerleading practice, where she asked if he could take Sandy home as well. Shortly after, she asked him to go to a school dance, and the rest was history.
After graduating in 1960, she attended Trumbull Memorial School of Nursing. She waited until her children were all in school before entering the workforce, as she wanted to be completely present for her kids' childhoods. Sandy worked as a nursing supervisor at Maplecrest Nursing Home in Struthers for 18 years before retiring in 2000.
Sandy's greatest joy in life was spending time with her family. If you were visiting her house, you would never leave hungry. She was always asking what she could get you to eat.
Sandy's life was centered around her family and friends. She was very active in the lives of the people she cared about. Even while working, she was at every single one of her kids' sports games, home or away, all the way through college.
Sandy loved to travel and take trips. She went on numerous Vindicator Tour trips with her mom, traveling all over the world, and enjoyed taking her kids camping at Western Reserve Lake on the weekends.
Sandy found joy in life's simple pleasures. She enjoyed watching basketball, specifically the Cavs and Bulls; spending time talking and laughing with friends and family; making ceramics; and playing cards. Throughout her life, she was a part of two monthly card clubs -- one with her friends from nurses' training and one with her lifelong friends, the "BBQs." All of her club girls were like her sisters, as she was an only child. Sandy's warmth and generosity will always be remembered by her friends and loved ones.
Near the end of her life, Sandy resided at Windsor House in Canfield, where her loving husband, Gene, visited her every day for hours and her daughter, Carrie, came by every day. Her family and friends called or came to visit her every day, making sure she always knew she was loved.
Her family would like to thank the staff at Windsor House in Canfield for taking such wonderful care of her for all these years.
Sandy is survived by her husband of 63 years, Eugene T. Ross; and three children, Cindy (Dave Nolfi) Kibby, Mark (Kim) Ross and Carrie (Mike) Morrow. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Shawn (Kelly) Kibby, Todd (Amanda) Kibby, Kristen (Jeremy Martin) Kibby, Michaela and Addison Ross, and Michael and Ross Morrow; and five great-grandchildren, Avery and Alivia Kibby, Tyler and Logan Kibby, and Jensen Martin.
Sandy was preceded in death by her mother, Thelma Burkett Schaeffer, and her father, Leo Schaeffer.
Family and friends are invited to call 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman, OH 44512.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, March 23, at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 10143 Main St., New Middletown, OH 44442. There will be a luncheon following Mass at the church for those who wish to attend.
Sandy's legacy is one of love, faith and devotion to family. She will be deeply missed by all who know her and love her.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman.
Family and friends may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to give condolences to the Ross family.
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