Joyce Ingham Ross

ROSS, Joyce (Cameron) Ingham, 91, of Midlothian, passed away after a brief illness on September 16, 2021. A loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, she is survived by her children (Madelyn, Jennifer, and Malcolm); six grandchildren and a great-grandson. She was happily married for more than 60 years to Gilbert S. Ross, MD, who predeceased her in 2017.

Joyce worked as a teacher, editor, researcher and city official, and was a tireless community activist and volunteer for much of her life, often leaving organizations better run than she found them! An accomplished singer in her younger days, her many interests included earning her recreational pilot's license at the age of 63. She remained independent and intellectually engaged until the end of her 91 years, and was always up for a game of Scrabble, a lively conversation or a political debate.

Joyce was born and raised in Pennsylvania, beginning her education in a rural one-room schoolhouse and going on to earn a B.A. at Dickinson College and an M.A. in Education Administration from Syracuse University. Married to Gilbert in 1956, Joyce devoted herself to raising her children and to community service. She served as national vice president of Literacy Volunteers, Inc. and was a leader in efforts to integrate Syracuse city schools, among other local causes. She later became active in politics and served two terms on the Syracuse City Council, representing Syracuse's 5th District.

A woman of wisdom, warmth and humor, Joyce loved to read and travel. She and her husband lived in New Zealand and China during Gil's sabbaticals, and they traveled widely together, often with friends. They spent summers on a lake in Ontario, Canada, enjoying the bustle of visits from family and friends, and the quiet of the times in between. Most of all, Joyce and Gil dedicated themselves in retirement to their family, becoming beloved companions to their grandchildren. They moved to Virginia in 2001 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

A private family memorial will be held. In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Joyce are appreciated and may be made to Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle, to Virginia Public Media or to the ACLU.