Johanna C. Ross

Johanna C. Ross died peacefully on April 22, 2018 among her loving family in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on August 10, 1929, Johanna was the first of four children of John J. Murphy and Mary Murphy. After attending local Catholic grammar schools, Johanna graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy in Brighton, Massachusetts in 1947 where she was voted Prefect of the Sodality. It was said of Johanna at Mount St. Joseph's, and by all who knew her throughout her life, that "in her tongue is the law of kindness."
While working in Boston, she met Clifford J. Ross. They were married on July 5, 1952. He recently passed in October of 2016. They relocated to Manchester, New Hampshire shortly thereafter where she worked, raised a family and graced everyone she met with her presence. She also played a pivotal role in supporting her husband of 64 years pursue a successful career as an attorney in Manchester, New Hampshire, as well as encouraging and inspiring her four children to all pursue and receive college degrees.
Johanna loved reading, needlepoint, gardening, cooking, volunteering for Catholic Charities, the Manchester City Library and tutoring in English recent arrivals from Haiti and other Caribbean Islands. Above all, she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and her brother, John J. Murphy of Cincinnati, Ohio and her two sisters, Francis Hallice of Arlington, Massachusetts and Mary Mecsas of Lincoln, Massachusetts. She was a constant source of love and wisdom and strength to her family and the innumerable friends she made in the greater Manchester community. Purposeful in all she undertook, faithful, kind and considerate, Johanna quietly worked tirelessly to improve the lives of her family, friends, church, and community.
Her children who survive her are: Michael S. Ross; Eileen E. Ross, David A. Ross, and Ami Sarasvati. Her grandchildren who survive her are Elizabeth Lindh, Michael Lindh, Benjamin Ross, Heather Rose Tracy, and Justin Tracy.

A memorial Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Saturday, April 28, 2018 in St. Catherine of Siena Church, Manchester.
Donations may be made in her memory to NH Catholic Charities, 215 Myrtle St, Manchester, NH 03104 or call (603) 669-3030.
To send an online message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.