VERNON - Joan M. Ross, 88, of Highland Lakes, passed away Monday, April 20, 2020, after a brief battle with Covid-19. She was born April 23, 1931, in NYC, daughter of the late Rose E. and Martin T. Geraghty. She leaves behind a large, loving circle of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Ross is survived by her daughter, Jeanne Rummel and husband, Scott, and their children, Peter, Patrick, Thomas and Elizabeth; son, Thomas Ross and wife, Ann, and their children, Kathryn and Kevin; daughter, Anne Austin and husband, Edward (Tod), and their children, Lauren, Mary and Edward (Lucas); daughter-in-law, Suzanne Ross and her children, Carolyn (mother of great-grandchildren, Oliver and Julian), John and Emily. Ross is predeceased by her beloved husband, John (Jack) Ross and her dear son, Donald Ross.
To Ross, family and faith were life's greatest gifts and this was apparent to all who knew her. She took great joy from being surrounded by her cherished children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved spending time with her lifelong friends.
Ross graduated from St. Joseph's College, Brooklyn and began a career as a research chemist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. After starting a family, she changed careers. Following postgraduate work at the College of St. Elizabeth, Ross taught for many years at Immaculate Conception School in Franklin. She was passionate about educating her 5th through 8th graders in science and art, and was the 8th grade homeroom teacher. Ross was chairperson of the Arts and Sciences Department and vice principal of the school. She received a national award for Outstanding Teacher of the Year and was listed in Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America.
Ross is widely known for her career as an accomplished watercolor painter, receiving numerous awards in regional, national and international shows. A lifelong painter of scenes from her beloved Highland Lakes, Sussex and Orange counties, she superbly captured the light and the beauty of her treasured landscapes. Ross conducted year-round art workshops and served on juries of show awards and selection in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Her paintings have been exhibited at The National Academy, The Salmagundi Club, The Trotter Museum, Noyes Museum, Monmouth Museum, Waterloo Village, Newington Cropsey Museum, Morris Museum, Clifton Arts Center, Kent Art Association and The Barn Galleries. She had several one-woman shows, two mother-daughter shows, and was represented by several galleries.
Ross was a member of numerous art associations including the American Artist Professional League, Composers, Authors and Artists of America, Essex Watercolor Club, Hudson Valley Art Association, New Jersey Watercolor Society (past president), North East Watercolor Society (past president), Salmagundi Club, New Jersey American Artists Professional League, and was listed as an Official US Coast Guard Artist.
She was instrumental in the formation of the Highland Lakes Ecology Committee, serving as president and utilizing her science background to help preserve and improve water quality at the lake and surrounding environment.
As a longtime member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Ross lent help to her church in many ways, but particularly loved serving as a lay Eucharistic minister and singing in the choir with late husband, Jack. Both also shared a passion for history and were members of the Vernon Township Historical Society.
Ross was passionate about promoting art to people of all ages. At Highland Lakes she developed creative art programs and chaired the popular annual, community-wide Highland Lakes Art Show.
A celebration of life will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Highland Lakes at a future date. For upcoming service updates and online guestbook, please visit Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home at www.fergusonfuneralhomesnj.com (Tel: 973-827-6600).
During her life, in order to help her grandchild, Ross supported a nonprofit that funds research to cure a rare disease. She would be delighted to know that in her death, this support continues. Therefore, memorial contributions can be made to PSC Partners Seeking a Cure, 6900 East Belleview Ave., Suite 202, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. You can also visit www.smile.amazon.com and choose PSC Partners Seeking a Cure as the charity when making any purchase. Amazon will donate a percentage to the charity at no cost to you.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The New Jersey Herald on May 2, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Joan Ross

Sponsored by The New Jersey Herald and njherald.com.

16 Entries

Gary Powoski

May 14, 2020

As you've known, I loved your watercolor art work. I enjoyed our conversations at the clubhouse. My deepest heartfelt condolences to your family.

Philip Wetzel

May 7, 2020

Mrs. Ross was my 8th grade teacher at Immaculate Conception Regional School during the '83-'84 school year and I had her for art and science for three years before that. She was tough when she needed to be but she was also caring and compassionate. My year with her was my favorite year at ICRS. Rest in peace, dear lady....

May 5, 2020

I enjoyed Talking to Joan Ross; she was always pleasant and had such a great smile. I'm glad I had a chance to know her.

Sally Crabb

May 5, 2020

Mrs. Ross was our class's teacher for two years, both sixth grade and eighth grade. Class was always fun with science and art! She let our class color to learn everything! She had to have had the largest stockpile of construction paper in every color on earth. I'll never forget when our sugar saturation experiment exploded! She took everything in stride! She was so full of energy and always looked out for each of us in our very large class. Deepest sympathies to her loved ones. Sleep with the Angels, Mrs. Ross.

Jim Simmons

May 4, 2020

Along with so many others, I deeply admired Mrs. Ross' artistic talent but I knew her more as a strong advocate for her children's education.
I had the honor of instructing and coaching her son Tom and her daughter Anne many years ago.
My sincere sympathy to Tom, Anne and the whole Ross family on the passing of this creative and dedicated woman. May she rest in the Lord.

Ann Marie Charney-Redmond

May 3, 2020

I was a student of Mrs. Ross many years ago. I can still see her sitting
behind her desk or standing at her podium. She was an amazing teacher. My condolences to her family. God Bless

James Charney

May 3, 2020

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

John Tuohy

May 3, 2020

My thoughts and prayer go to the entire Ross family. She was my homeroom teacher many years ago and someone I will never forget. John Tuohy

Sharon (Leavy)

May 3, 2020

As a kid, it was always an exciting day when my parents said we were visiting Uncle Jack and Aunt Joan's lake house. They were always so nice and so much fun and Aunt Joan's art gallery was gorgeous. The last fond memory I have is dancing with them at my wedding. They were hard to keep up with! I will miss her but happy I have those memories.

Eileen Opfer

May 3, 2020

Few people have contributed as much as Joan did to make our world a better place. I always admired her for her intelligence, talent and energy. But the most thing I remember is her beautiful smile. Love and peace to all the Ross family.

May 3, 2020

Anne, my mom s name is maureen traynor regan . Hang in there. Johnny regan Somerville, nj.

Christina Ramirez

May 3, 2020

My sympathies go out to the families of Mrs. Ross. I thought about her just a few days ago. I was her student many many years ago but I can remember her so clearly. She was so smart and she inspired me first with science; indulging my artistic need to make great big diagrams of what we were learning in class and more importantly with her love of art. She was the first real artist I ever met. When I recently thought of her I wondered if she would get a kick out of knowing I was a professional artist. I wondered what she would think of my work and I thought to myself I should let her know. II live in Phoenix now and I think her spirit gave me a little visit after I asked that question while in my own studio. I havent thought of her in so very long and three days later I heard this sad news. After reading all that she had accomplished in the arts, I think I have my answer. Rest well Mrs. Ross-you touched so many people with your talent, inspiration, and love of life. I will remember you always as the very grand lady you were to me.

Donna Oleary

May 2, 2020

I still need to call her Mrs. Ross. She was my 8th grade teacher as well as our Art and Science teacher. She gave me my love for water color when I was so young. What an awesome woman she was! My thoughts and prayers are with her children and grand children. Rest in peace.

Rebekka Zydel

May 2, 2020

I was one of her students 35 years ago. She inspired my interest in art and education. I believe my love of watercolor is because of her influence. She went above and beyond for her students. I am grateful to have learned from her and treasure those memories. Wishing you peace during this time.

Joan Magura

May 2, 2020

Will always remember what she and Jack did for the Vernon Historical society, and what she left to the art world, rest in piece my friend. My condolences to her extended family!

May 2, 2020

Anne, my mom graduated the same year Jan 1949 from bishop McDonald in Brooklyn with your mom, my mom is 89 and is still alive. My mom lived in woodside queens. My thoughts and prayers are with you you and the rest of your family. Johnny regan pj 1983somerville nj

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