Elizabeth McKeever Ross, 96, of Vero Beach and Columbus, Ohio, passed away on Aug. 16, 2015.
She is survived by her devoted family, including her four children, Sally Ross Soter (William J.), Marcia Ross Blackburn (William), Richard M. Ross, Jr. (Kimberly), and George Alexander Ross (Martha); her 11 grandchildren, Sarah Ziegler Kay, William Ross Blackburn, Katherine Blackburn Reay, Elizabeth Blackburn Lane, Elizabeth Ross McGrann, Alison Bilger Ross, Jacqueline Moore Ross, Jennifer Alexandra Ross, Richard Alexander Ross, Rachel Ross Towne, and Margaret Ross Whalen; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Her husband, Richard M. Ross, passed away on Dec. 5, 1993. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Louise McKeever McCulloch.
Ross was a prominent philanthropist who spent much of her life supporting the arts, education, and health in Vero Beach, Columbus, and elsewhere.
She was born on Feb. 15, 1919, to Elizabeth and George McKeever of Columbus, Ohio and graduated from Bexley High School and The Ohio State University, where she majored in voice and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
In 1940, she married Richard M. Ross, President of Ross Laboratories, which grew out of the family business M&R Dietetic Laboratories.
Through the Junior League of Columbus, Ross began volunteering at The Columbus Museum of Art and became a founding member of the Women’s Board. She was President of the Board of Managers, then President of the Board of Trustees. In 2013, the Columbus Museum of Art honored her by renaming the 1931 Historic Beaux Arts Building “The Elizabeth and Richard M. Ross Building.”
Ross was a founding member of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and served as its chairman. She was also a member of the Board of Directors of Spoleto U.S.A. In addition, she served on the Board of Trustees of Children’s Hospital, was a member of Twig III, and President of the Greater Columbus Arts Council Board. She sang in the choir of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church for more than 30 years.
She received Honorary Degrees from Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio and The Ohio State University. Ross received The Harrison Sayre Award from The Columbus Foundation and The John Gerlach Award from The Ohio State University. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ross received The Ohio Governor’s award for Art Patronage from The Ohio Arts Council in 1987.
A quiet and effective donor, Ross’ hard work and many gifts included the founding gift to establish The Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital at The Ohio State University, where she served as an Honorary Board member. Additionally, she provided the funds for restoring the building that houses the Ohio Wesleyan Art Museum. The Elizabeth Ross Nursing Fellowship at The Ohio State University was established by her. She was also a faithful supporter of Trinity School of Ministry in Ambridge, Penn.
A private graveside service will be at Green Lawn Cemetery on Aug. 22, 2015. The following day, Aug. 23, 2015, a reception will be held in Derby Court at The Columbus Museum of Art from 2:30 to 5 p.m. A memorial service will be held at a later date in her church, Christ Church Vero Beach.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church Vero Beach, 925 14th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960, The Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E Broad St. Columbus OH 43215, The Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital at The Ohio State University, 452 W 10th Ave. Columbus OH 43210, or ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, 620 E Broad St. Suite 300, Columbus, OH 43215.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at Christ Church, 925 14th Lane, Vero Beach, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8.
Arrangements are by Schoedinger Midtown Chapel, 229 E State St. Columbus, OH 43215. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share a memory of Libby.
