Alice Ann (French) Ross

Alice Ann (French) Ross passed away June 27, 2023, at Columbine Manor with hospice after a fall in her home 5 weeks before. She was born July 4, 1932, in Milliken Colorado. She had met Keith Ross while in high school in Stoneham where she graduated and they married in 1950. He worked at Great Western Sugar Factory in Sterling where they lived for the first 6 years of their marriage, welcoming 2 daughters, Peggy and Judy. After moving to Findlay, Ohio and after Judy started kindergarten, she and Keith became foster parents, caring for many babies and small children. Keith’s job took the family to Eaton, CO, Gering NB, and back to Longmont, Colorado. In Gering, they again were foster parents and one little boy, Christopher, became an adopted member of the family. Keith passed away from cardiac issues in 1973. Alice then married Loyal, Keith’s older brother, and she and Chris moved to Loyal’s ranch 10 miles south of Jackson Wyoming. There she learned to be a true rancher’s wife. She loved going on cattle round ups, sleeping and cooking “in the rough”. She and Loyal kept chickens, milk cows and pigs. Their yard was beautiful with trees, flowering shrubs and flowers and the garden grew wonderful vegetables. After a long battle with respiratory issues, Loyal passed away in 2002. Alice moved to Salida in 2005 to a home right behind her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Bruce Smith.

She said many times how thankful she was for her home here in Salida. Both Alice and Judy felt very blessed to live so close to each other. Alice stayed busy with volunteer work with the hospital auxiliary, the Red Hat Ladies and Presbyterian church functions for years. In her last years she was limited to her Saintly Sinners luncheons and her beloved cribbage group. She spent much time at Judy’s house with family. She would go to Judy’s every afternoon to hold Judy’s 2 toy poodles. She always wanted to be included even when she really couldn’t hear what was going on. Alice will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her smile and her chuckle. Even during the last 5 weeks of pain, the nurses and caregivers would say “There’s that smile”.

Alice is survived by her daughter, Judy Smith, son, Chris Ross, a brother, Roy and 2 sisters, Trish and Donna Jeanne, Grandchildren Dawn Bruno (Robert), Erik Smith (Morianne), Scott Winter (Samantha) and Andy Winter, great grandchildren Aiden, Duncan and Gavin Bruno.

Services will be held later in the summer at the Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be sent to Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home at www.lewisandglenn.com. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Heart of the Rockies Hospice Foundation, 301 F Street, Suite E.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alice Ann (French) Ross, please visit our floral store.