Helen Ross
Died: June 25, 2025 | Place: London, Ontario
Services
Visitation
Friday, July 4, 2025
4:00-7:00 pm
A. Millard George Funeral Home
60 Ridout Street South
London, Ontario
N6C 3X1
Service
Saturday, July 5, 2025
11:00 am
A. Millard George Funeral Home
60 Ridout Street South
London, Ontario
N6C 3X1
Interment
Monday, July 7, 2025
1:00 pm
Hopetown Cemetery
Hopetown, Ontario
Obituary
ROSS, Helen Jean…
1929-2025
It is with sadness that the family of Helen (nee Ferguson) Ross of London and formerly of Balderson, ON announces her passing on June 25, 2025, in her 97th year.
Helen was the loving wife of Rev. Doug Ross (November 6th, 2021), for over 66 years. They met on the bus, while traveling from Kingston to Perth in 1953, since they were both students at Queens University. Helen graduated from Queens in the spring of 1953 and began her career as a teacher. Kindergarten was Helen’s specialty, and she taught in Ottawa, Perth, Clarkson, Portsmouth, Schefferville and London.
Helen was a kind and reflective mother to Jennifer Burnside and her husband Royce of Madoc, ON, Mary-Janet Ross and her husband Chris Watterton of London, ON, and Liz Phoenix and her husband Dave of Stoney Point, ON.
Nana, as she was affectionately known to her grandchildren, will be greatly missed, but the many gentle and caring moments will live on with Jessie and Adam Read, Dillon and Jack Phoenix, and Brennyn and Avyn Watterton. Helen was predeceased by her parents, Abby and George Ferguson, brothers-in-law Glenn Ross and Wayne Demille. Helen will be affectionately remembered by her sister-in-law, Betty Demille and nephews and nieces, as well as the congregational members of churches she and Doug were called to during his 65 years as an ordained United Church Minister.
In 1959, Helen and Doug purchased property on Moira Lake and built the cottage soon after. The cottage was a big part of their lives as they raised their girls and grandchildren there. Helen always took peace from time looking at the lake from her various viewing spots and especially the setting sun each night.
Helen was a faithful member of Wesley-Knox United Church where she was a Life Member of the Official Board and the United Church Women. She spent many hours over her life at church doing God’s work. When Helen retired from teaching in 1987, she continued her connections with children and volunteered at the Child Life Centre at London Health Sciences Centre for 20 years. Our family would like to thank the dedicated staff at McCormick Home on Memory Lane for their care and compassion of Mom the last several years. Also, to Yvonne, a devoted caregiver who shared many happy times with Helen the last ten years.
Family and friends are welcome for visitation on Friday, July 4, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 11:00 am in the funeral home chapel. For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed on the AMG Funeral Home YouTube channel. Interment will take place on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Hopetown Cemetery, Hopetown. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Helen Ross may be made to the Wesley-Knox United Church Memorial Fund or to the McCormick Care Foundation, 2022 Kains Road, London, ON N6K 0A8. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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Donations
Susan McCoy - Wesley-Knox United Church Memorial Fund
Sandy and Bill Terry - Wesley-Knox United Church Memorial Fund
Joe & Leslie Driskill - McCormick Care Foundation
Lynn Danby - Wesley-Knox United Church Memorial Fund
Judy and Eric McCoy - Children's Health Foundation
David DeMille & Family - McCormick Care Foundation
Julie Smith - Wesley-Knox United Church Memorial Fund
Margo DeVries-Rizzo - Wesley-Knox United Church Memorial Fund
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Dear Jennifer, Mary Janet, Liz and families. What a wonderful full life your mom lived. I don’t think there was anything that her and your dad didn’t get to accomplished together. Theirs was a beautiful love story and wonderful role models for all of you and mom was a dear friend to many of us. Our circle of friendship has lost a very special link, but our circle was stronger because of mom‘s presence in it. Grateful for wonderful memories of our time together. My heartfelt condolences to all of you.🙏💕
Dear Liz and Family. My deepest condolences in the passing of your Mother.
Sincerely
Janis from the pool
Cole and I send heartfelt condolences to all who have loved this beautiful soul. May her spirit soar into eternal paradise. I’m sure she has the most glorious angel wings. Sending love to you all.
She was such a lovely lady. Prayers and thoughts at this time for the family.
Dear Mary Janet, Liz, Jennifer and families.
My sincere condolences on the passing of your dear mom and nana. She had such a gentleness about her and was a gifted teacher to so many children. You will never know the number of young lives she touched and influenced in her quiet way. May your fun times from cottage life, family times and growing up memories at W-K be a source of comfort to you and the knowledge she has now joined your dad in heaven for eternity.
Sincerely, Grant
My deepest sympathy for the love of your Mom
Our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy are with the Ross family. Helen was a valueable and respected member of CFUW-London Club.
We remember her as a very kind and gentle person. Always a supportive friend. May beautifull memories comfort you.
Dear Ross Family
So sorry to hear of Mrs Ross passing. She was such a gentle and kind soul when we knew them at BCUC in Bells Corners.
They had a special friendship with our Morrison family.
Trevor and Shelley Morrison
Condolences to all the Ross family, Helen will be missed.
Ross Family
I remember Mrs. Ross with great respect and admiration as she was my older son’s kindergarten teacher in 1978. When he sang some vacation Bible songs in the fall of that year, I did a little research so I knew he was blessed with this teacher. I know she had a remarkable impact not only on the children she taught, but on all she met in her long life.
Sending sincere condolences and prayers.
Judy Webb
On behalf of my mother Jean, and the extended Mooney family, we wanted to express our sincere condolences to the Ross family on the passing of Helen Ross. Helen and Doug were very special friends our Jean and Sid for many years and the Mooney family enjoyed many wonderful moments together with the Ross family. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with the Ross family at this difficult time.
To Helen’s Family –
Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your Mom. For many years I worked with Doug in London Conference. Often, some of our local meetings were held at your home. Also, Helen accompanied us on many, many day trips. She was a very special person – so gentle and compassionate! Do know my caring thoughts are with you. Peace . . .
Norma Clare London
Dear MJ and Liz,
Our sincere condolences to you and your families. Helen had the sweetest smile and her sparkling eyes always brightened our days on Memory Lane at McCormick Home. She was an integral part of our Wednesday family dance night, where we shared many laughs and celebrations. The love and care you provided for your mother was truly something inspirational for all of us. Thank you for being a big part of our lives. May Helen rest in peace 🙏🏻 🕊️👼
Dear Mary Janet and Families,
So sorry to hear of your Mom Helen’s passing. She was a dear friend of my Mom, Doris Wendelboe, and their Perth group of friends.
I remember we rented their cottage on Moira Lake when I was really young, about 5 years old. And we had visited with them there a few times.
Both Helen and Doug were wonderful, kind people and would drop in for a visit in Perth to see Mom and Dad when they would travel down from London to spend time at Moira Lake in Tweed, during the summers.
Sincerely, Ann (Wendelboe) Partington