Olive Wyman "Pinky" Ross

Middletown, NY

"Mothers write on the hearts of their children things the world can never erase."

Olive "Pinky" Wyman Ross of Middletown, NY, truly a gift from God Himself, and affectionately known as "Pinky" all her life, blessedly returned to him on Thursday, October 9, 2008, at Orange Regional Medical Center, Horton Campus, Middletown. She was 91 years old.

Pinky was a special Christmas Eve present for her older sister, Henrietta Van Tassell, in 1916. Her nickname, Pinky, was created when a neighbor in Nyack, NY viewed her in an outfit in pink made by her mother Glennie May. She was a blessing to all who knew and loved her, and was talented, optimistic, energetic, and decisive. She graduated from Nyack High School and attended the McDowell School of Fashion Design in New York City. In 1937 she married Arthur Lloyd Wyman of Englewood, NJ. They lived in Bardonia, NY for many years and raised their two daughters, Judith and Jane. While her girls were growing up, Pinky became president of the Bardonia Elementary School PTA and helped organize the soup kitchen to provide the children with hot lunches. She went on to be a member of the Board of Education and was very instrumental in the consolidation of local area schools to become the Clarkstown Central School District. Pinky was blessed with a beautiful soprano voice and began singing at an early age. As a young teenager she had her own half-hour radio show on Saturday mornings at a local station, and her theme song was "When you come to the end of a perfect day." As a member of the choir of the Germond's Presbyterian Church, she was always the soloist on Christmas Eve, her birthday. Former Pastor Ron Johnson said "It wasn't Christmas Eve until Pinky sang O Holy Night". She always hit the high notes with confidence and it was her husband Art's favorite Christmas carol. She spent many years as a dental assistant to the late Dr. Irving Rotner in Spring Valley, NY. She later became a cosmetologist at Crescent Drug Store in Haverstraw and later in Bardonia, NY. No one ever refused an invitation to dine at Pinky's house. She loved entertaining family and friends, and cooked sumptuous meals for birthdays, holidays and any occasion worth celebrating. She prepared Thanksgiving dinner for 20 until a broken leg at the age of 85 prevented it, and even then she managed to make her famous pies! After her husband Art's death in 1984, she became a lunch-room aide at Chorley Elementary School in Middletown, NY. She also substituted occasionally and the children loved to hear "Miss Pinky" sing and play the piano. In 1989 she married Robert Ross. They resided in Middletown, NY and had a lovely life together. He was always a wonderful companion and truly a blessing in her life. They shared many happy memories and travels, and rivaled Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers on the dance floor. Pinky was always busy. Her home and gardens were always magazine perfect and she was beautifully dressed and groomed. She truly enjoyed her family, friends, and five grandchildren. She was blessed with wonderful health and lived to see three beautiful great-granddaughters.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Ross, at home; his two children, Debbie Ross Bouchard and Robert Ross Jr. of Cameron, NC; her two daughters, Judith Ann Taylor and husband, Alonso of Fort Montgomery, NY, and Jane Wyman Romano and her husband, Joseph of Middletown, NY. five grandchildren; Jon S. Taylor and his partner, Cheryl Desposito of Bear Mountain, NY, Jason S. Taylor of Fort Montgomery, NY, Jesse Taylor and his wife, Celia of New Windsor, NY, Joseph A. Romano and his partner, Faune Davis of Middletown, NY and Sarah Jane Romano and her fianceè, Stuart Morrison of Delmar, CA. She is also survived by three great-granddaughters: Annika Taylor, Sofia Taylor, and Olivia Rose Davis Romano.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 11, at 11 a.m. at Brick Church, Rte 17K, in Montgomery, NY. Burial will take place in Germond's Presbyterian Cemetery in New City, NY.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations in Pinky's memory to St. Jude's Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942. The family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to the nursing staff at Horton Hospital's ICU unit, especially Christine Vigilio and the fourth floor staff who were all so incredibly kind to Pinky and us.

Arrangements were made by the William M. Gagan Funeral Home, Inc., 1525 Burlingham Rd., Pine Bush, NY, 845-744-6008. www.wmgaganfuneralhome.com.