Phyllis F. Ross

Big Lake Township – Phyllis Foster Ross, 89, passed away at her son’s home in Auburn on January 29, 2020. Phyllis was born in Presque Isle on May 14, 1930 to Frederick and Bertha (Morehouse) Foster. Presque Isle was her childhood home where she attended school and graduated from Presque Isle High School, Class of 1948. Soon after, Phyllis married Raymond W. Ross on July 19, 1950 in Crouseville. They resided there for a few years before Raymond took a position with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard which lead to their relocating to Kittery.

Her life was forever changed when she became a mother, first to Cindi and then Lyndon. She dedicated her time to caring for them as a stay at home mom, right up until Lyndon graduated high school. Her family continued to be first and foremost for Phyllis. The family grew to include her granddaughters and great granddaughter, who were cherished endlessly.

Raymond’s position as a Civilian Personnel Officer with the Air Force allowed the family to see many new places. With Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, NH, as a home base, the family traveled together to Ernest Harmon Air Force Base in Newfoundland, and Goose Air Force Base in Labrador.

Phyllis worked as an accountant before her children were born and returned to her job after they were grown. She and Raymond loved to travel. They visited countless cities and towns throughout the United States and Western Europe but were most fond of their trips to Germany and Austria. In later years, Phyllis found relaxation at her cottage at Big Lake where she was a charter member of Sunrise Christian Church, and a member of Big Lake Campmeeting Association. She loved to cook, play cribbage, do needle work but above all, she loved time with her family.

Phyllis was predeceased by her parents and husband, Raymond. She leaves behind her two children, Cindi Romania and her husband Frank of Lopez, PA and Lyndon Ross and his wife Pam of Auburn; three granddaughters, Crystal Strouse and her husband Cameron of Raymond, NH, Hanna Stohlman and her husband John of Cincinnati, OH and Claire Cloutier and her husband Shane of Pittsfield; her great granddaughter, Erin Stohlman; two very special friends, Penny Braley of Princeton and Scott Palmer of Aurora, IL as well as many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends from Sunrise Christian Church and Big Lake Campmeeting.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Phyllis’s memory to Big Lake Campmeeting Association, c/o John Stohlman, PO Box 762, West Chester, OH 45071 or Sunrise Christian Church, c/o Ernest Grohs, 8 Beech St., Big Lake Township, ME 04668.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Friday, February 7th at Mays Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Calais. A funeral service will begin at 10:30 am the following morning, Saturday, February 8th at the funeral home with Pastor Ernest Carle officiating. Committal will be at Calais Cemetery.