Mary Alice Ross

Mary Alice Ross, 92, of Orwigsburg, PA and Chambersburg, PA, passed away on December 11, 2024. Born May 18, 1932, in Schuylkill Haven, PA, she was the daughter of the late Elmer and Thea (Lauer) Moyer.

Mrs. Ross was a 1950 graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School and a 1954 graduate of the former Lock Haven State College, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in education and met the love of her life, Larry H. Ross, who she married in 1953. After college, Mary Alice was hired as the Director of the Pottsville Mission, where she developed programs and provided services for underserved children and families. After leaving the Mission to raise her children, she was a school teacher for more than 29 years before retiring. She was a member of First United Church of Christ, the Orwigsburg OWLS, and the Lock Haven Alumni Association. In her later years, she was an avid fan of whatever sports teams her great-grandchildren were on, and she had the most active social calendar of anyone in the family. She enjoyed traveling, knitting, reading, and a good game of Bridge; however, her most cherished time was spent with family and friends. 

In her 92 years, she experienced the Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, the moon landing, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the rise of the internet, the Covid global health pandemic, and 6 undefeated seasons of Penn State Football. 

Although we had her for all of our lives, it will never feel long enough. We will remember her sitting on her deck, looking out over the land where she raised her children and made a home, or in her kitchen, where she made the world’s best pies and homemade apple butter. She will continue to be a part of everyone who knew and loved her and the memories we carry forward.

She is survived by her three sons, L. Michael Ross (Donna) of Chambersburg, PA, David Ross (Merry) of Springfield, MO, and Thomas Ross (Carla) of Waterfall, PA, who she considered her greatest achievements in life. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, Kira Coy (Bill), Tracy Burner (Johnny), Alyssa Ross (Joseph Barra), Alice Hachtel (Charles), Kacy Dodge, Michael Ross, Nathan Ross (Kelcey), and Samantha Ross-Pittman (C.J.); eleven great-grandchildren, Elliot, Liam, Emery, Lane, Gavin, Dayton, Dustin, Nolan, Hoyt, Vanessa, and Huntley; and two siblings, Betsy Gehrig of Ft. Collins, CO and Skip Moyer of Rochester, MN. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Larry H. Ross, in 2010 and two siblings, Anna Mae Greenawalt and Laura Jane Mieldazis.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 3 PM in the First United Church of Christ, 110 PA-61, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972, where Pastor Shawn D. Van Dyke will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Inc., Chambersburg, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Orwigsburg Free Public Library (www.orwigsburglibrary.org) or Shalom Christian Missions (www.shalomchristianmissions.org) Online condolences may be offered on Mary Alice’s page at www.geiselfuneralhome.com.