Sharon G. ROSS

1941 - 2018

ROSS, Sharon G. 76, died January 4, 2018, after a valiant battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully at home with her loving husband, Bob, by her side. Shary was born in Browning, Missouri on May 24, 1941, and was the daughter of Mervyn and Bobbie Garrett. She graduated from Keokuk, Iowa High School in 1959 and went on to receive a degree in education from the University of Iowa. She taught grades ranging from kindergarten to 4th grade in Iowa, Ohio, and Arizona. In 1984, She received her Master's degree in counseling and guidance from the University of Arizona and became the first vocational counselor for Sunnyside and Desert View High Schools. She worked tirelessly to develop that program, which benefitted many students throughout her years there. During this time, she was also instrumental in developing a statewide model for comprehensive competency based school counseling for all Arizona schools. She went on to become the head of the counseling department at Catalina Foothills High School when it opened in 1993. She retired in 2003 after a 40-year career dedicated to the academic, social, and emotional advancement of her students. She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church for many years and served as a Eucharistic Minister. She was also an active volunteer at Sabino Canyon as a naturalist for elementary education programs and on the volunteer patrol. She also worked part-time for the Marriott Starr Pass Resort as a destination guide. She is survived by her husband, Robert S. Ross, Sr; daughters, Angie Porter and Cindy Jones and spouse Bruce Jones, all of Tucson; grandchildren, Amanda Haddix of Atlanta, GA, Michael Porter and Corey Jones of Tucson; and great-grandchildren, Scarlett and Emmaline Haddix of Atlanta, GA. A Memorial service will be held Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Pius X Church, 1800 N. Camino Pio Decimo. Burial will be at Arizona Veterans' Cemetery in Marana, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN), 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd., Tucson, AZ 85750. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOME, Dodge Chapel.