Ada “Ruth” Gross

Ada "Ruth" Gross, 89, of Zelienople, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
Born in Tarentum in 1935, her family moved to Saxonburg, where she was raised on her family's cherished farm. Ruth often spoke with great fondness of her childhood, especially the time she spent working alongside her father in the fields and driving the tractor.
Ruth earned her teaching degree in home economics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She taught home economics at Zelienople High School, where she met her beloved husband, Ralph E. Gross, who was also a teacher. She and Ralph recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 14. Together, they built a life centered on family, faith and community.
A gifted seamstress, Ruth was sought after for her talent in creating wedding gowns, dresses and window treatments. She passed her love of sewing, cooking and baking on to her granddaughters, who continue her legacy of creativity and care.
She loved baking cookies, enjoyed reading, attended the symphony and theater, and spent years as a faithful member of the church choir. She also served as a judge of competitive exhibits at local fairs.
Her faith was central to her life and she was deeply involved in various ministries at St. Peter's Church. Over the years, she crafted lap blankets for local seniors, dresses for Haitian children and finally, countless knitted hats for the underprivileged that were distributed across the globe.
Ruth will be remembered as a proud mother, an adoring grandmother, a devoted wife and dear friend.
She is survived by her sons, Andrew Gross (Cyndi) and Tim Gross (Nicole); her grandchildren, Samantha Metts (Nick), Giana Gross and Davia Gross; and her great-grandchildren, Walker and Sawyer Metts.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ralph E. Gross, who died in July 2025; her sisters, Sandra Hughes (Donald) and Edith Weckerly (Kenneth); and her parents, James L. and Annetta Ruth Murray.
GROSS - Friends and family of Ada "Ruth" Gross, who died Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, will be received from noon until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at BOYLAN FUNERAL HOME, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.
She will be laid to rest at St. Peter's Reformed Church Cemetery in Zelienople.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to following in Ruth's memory: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org; St. Peter's Reformed Church, 320 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople, PA 16063; or Boys Town at www.boystown.org.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.