Joanne Arlene Dross

1934 - 2022

JOANNE ARLENE DROSS August 30, 1934- December 18, 2022

We lost a beautiful lady this week.  At 88 years old, Joanne passed peacefully in her sleep on a Sunday morning in the comfort of her own bed.  Joanne was a mom to everyone she met.  She was the first one to invite you to stay to live with our family if you just needed a place to be.  And the first to be sure you were fed and clothed and had whatever you needed. 

Joanne and Jerry lived in Akron all their lives until 2003 when they moved to Hampstead, NC to be central to their 4 children who were scattered across the US and get out of that cold weather.  Leaving Joanne’s oldest son, her nephew, her siblings and life-long friends in Ohio was a tough move, but they loved their new home and neighbors and fit right in as always.  Joanne never met a stranger, of this we are sure.

Joanne was a beloved member of the medical community.  She was a medical assistant to a group of Nephrologists in Akron, becoming dear friends with the doctors and other staff members.  Her patients loved her dearly and she loved them.  In her early working years, she managed Castle Homes Apartment complex.  Joanne & Jerry owned several restaurants over the years, Portage Lakes Pizza Kitchen, Midway Char Grille at Rolling Acres Mall, and Hanson’s Deli at Chapel Hill Mall in Akron.

Yes, she worked full time and still managed to raise 4 very grateful children.  Her love of Bowling, Bingo & Blackjack was only surpassed by her love of her husband and her family.  The family reunions were nothing short of laughter and antics that live on in the minds of every family member and every friend, because friends were considered family too, there was no distinction.  Guiseppe’s pizza with the cheese on top of everything else was the one exception to her home cooked meals that are now the comfort foods that live on in her family. 

Speaking of family, Joanne’s husband of 60 years & love of her life Jerry Dross passed on before her in January of 2015, when she then went to live with her oldest daughter Crystal Liniger Ahumada & Son-in-Law George Ahumada Jr.  Her youngest daughter Shelly Brown & Son-in-Law Ric Brown live in CA.  Her oldest son Craig Dross passed on before her one year ago in December of 2021. Her daughter-in-law Dinese Dross still lives in Marshallville, OH.  And her youngest son Todd Dross and daughter-in-law Debbie Dross now live in Fredericksburg, VA. Her Son-in-Law Richard Liniger preceded her in death in July of 2004.

Joanne’s grandchildren made her smile even more Grande than usual.  Kara Childs & Nathan, Ryan Martie, Danielle Kelly & Clay Freeze, Amanda Pitts & John.  And of course, the great-grandchildren Kierstin & Kailee, Kayden, Noah & Jayden, Donovan passed away in 2019, Landon, Bentley & Autumn.

Joanne’s parents John & Catherine Richards passed on years ago but raised a wonderful family.  Joanne’s siblings were such a huge part of her life.  Being the oldest of 8 siblings she is survived by Thomas & Barbara Richards, Rhonda & Mark Day, Loretta Cameron & Michael Hall & Sister-In-Law Diane Richards.  So many nieces and nephews that Joanne stayed in touch with.  She was preceded in death by her siblings, Phillip Richards, Rita Richards, Donald Richards and Sharon Auberry and her nephew Donald Richards, Jr.

It is with grateful hearts that we thank Mandi Ahumada for her loyal and loving care of mom every day for the last 4 years as her caretaker and her step-granddaughter along with George who made sure she never missed a bingo night the first several years after Jerry passed.

We will not have a service since everyone is so far away.  But please do a few things in Joanne’s honor.  Give someone you love a back rub.  There was nothing more soothing to her.  And if you want to honor her with a giving heart, just like she had, please do that with the Hospice group of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare at 1414 Physicans Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or to any group or individual that will keep Joanne’s smile living on in our hearts for many many years to come.

Thank you all for loving our mom.