Mary Cheryl Ross

Mary "Cheryl" (Hackett) Ross, age 69, passed away Monday, September 8, 2025, surrounded by her family, following a year-long battle with Multiple Myeloma.
She was born October 15, 1955 in Cincinnati to the late James & Mary (Smart) Hackett. As the middle child of 5 siblings, she was a true peacekeeper, and the one they all counted on for advice and friendship. In 1970, her father died, prompting the family to move to her mother's hometown of Delaware, Ohio where Cheryl attended Hayes High School and played field hockey, graduating in the Class of 1973. After high school, she attended Bowling Green State University where she received her teaching degree in 1977.
After a brief stint in Tucson, Arizona, Cheryl returned to Delaware, Ohio where she reconnected with a former geometry classmate, Mitch Ross. The two were married in 1981. They started a family and built a home in Ostrander, Ohio where they have resided for 37 years. While raising her family, Cheryl worked for BancOhio (National City Bank) and Head Start Pre-School before returning to teaching at Buckeye Valley first as an aid, and then as a 6th Grade Science & Social Studies Teacher at Buckeye Valley Middle School for 18 years where she made a lasting impact on all of her students.
Cheryl retired in 2015 and did some traveling including trips to Nashville & Ireland. She spent her free time biking, canoeing, golfing, playing pickleball, scorekeeping for her family's coed softball team, and attending singer-songwriter rounds. Her most favorite hobby, however, was spending time with her family. She would always show up to a family party with a shoebox full of her chocolate chip cookies, and sharpened #2 pencils for an activity. She could be found at family gatherings usually surrounded by all of the kids. They were all enthralled by her singing, facial expressions, funny, and fun-loving personality. She always made sure to have a craft, project, or activity for the kids. She also continued her mother's tradition of sending all the great-nieces and nephews birthday cards in the mail with little trinkets inside.
In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her son-in-law Mark Lehman, her brother Tim Hackett, and father-in-law Sheldon Ross.
Those left to cherish her memory include her beloved husband of almost 44 years, Mitch Ross, daughter Megan Lehman (Matthew Viers), son Gabe (Erin) Ross, grandchildren Nellie Lehman, Louise (Weezie) and Hackett Ross, sisters Terri (Jim) Gilbert of Dayton, Susan (Dale) Kreiner and Lisa (Doug) Shaw, both of Delaware, mother-in-law Carolyn Ross, brother-in-law Brad (Nancy) Ross of Ostrander, and numerous nieces & nephews.
Friends may call from 5:00-8:00 pm on Monday, September 15th at Snyder Funeral Center, 101 Valleyside Dr. at W. William St. Delaware, Ohio 43015 where A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday September 16th, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Ostrander.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Buckeye Valley Neighborhood Bridges at , or to Preservation Parks of Delaware County (please specify Blues Creek Park).
Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com