Maria T Ross

Obituary Maria Theresia (Rischer) Ross B. December 13, 1921 D. August 11, 2012 A strong, tough woman decided to leave this world on August 11, 2012! As with everything else in her life, it was on her terms-she came home from a nursing home two years ago, and everybody thought she would die soon. But she was tough, and was determined not to let anybody else dictate the timing of her passing. Originally from Germany, Maria was the sixth of seven children and the only girl. She worked as a nanny and apprenticed in a bakery; if you knew her and were lucky enough to get some of her blackberry cobbler or plum cake later on in life, you'd recognize the formal training. She was drafted into the German Army and at the end of the war, after Germany's defeat, all she had was her Army Uniform. She was eventually placed in a refugee camp, and got a job at a radio factory. She then met the love of her life, John Ross, an American Army Soldier, and in 1961, their small family returned to the States to live in Tacoma and raise their son, William Ross. They were stationed in Fort Lewis because Fort Lewis was one of the few military bases that allowed inter-racial couples-they lived on Tacoma's Hilltop Area and eventually on the East Side for many, many years. She proudly cleaned houses for many years, and also worked at a Cleaner's. Her passions were her dear husband John, son Willam (Wolfgang), grandson Gyasi, great grandson Likoodzi, her goddaughter Leona, her nephews Ronnie and Adolph (Vernon), her good friends Annie, Irmgard, Irmgard, Lena Bomar and Inge; her garden and flowers were the talk of the area, as were her baked goods. She loved passion-ately and angrily-she always said what she felt but every single thing that she said was tempered with love. In 1998 her dear husband passed and life became a drag until the birth of her great-grandson in 2007-she was reinvigorated. She was preceded in death by her father Eduardus and mother Luise and her six brothers, whom she reunited with after many years of searching post-WWII. She was also preceded by her husband John (1998), and son William (2009). She is survived by her grandson Gyasi, her great-grandson Likoodzi, her daughter-in-law Geri, granddaughter Miranda and Neoma and Wendy, nephews Ronnie and Adolph and nieces Jeanette and Gayle. She was loved by many-special thanks to her friend Maurice Laufer and to Elaine, Cathy, Kimberly, Rita, Faith, Lisa and Courtney at HeartWarming Care. Services will be Friday at 11 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 602 S. 34th St. Burial will be Friday at 1:15 at Tahoma National Cemetery. Please send flowers in lieu of contributions to the family. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.