Margaret D. Ross, 93, of Waco, passed away Friday, Nov. 18, 2016. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at St. Louis Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Boulevard, followed at 7 p.m. by visitation with her family.

Margaret was born in Portland, NY, on June 5, 1923, the daughter of John and Bessie (Anderson) Deakin. She lost her mother to death when she was 16 years old and her father when she was 21. She lived in Collins, NY, with her sister, Grace Doerfield and family while attending Gowanda High School, graduating in 1941. Following high school she lived with Ralph and Pauline Barber while working at Ajax Flexible Co. in Westfield, NY, for several years in the accounting department.

Margaret married Robert E. Ross, a high school classmate, on June 8, 1946 in Westfield, NY. They moved with the Air Force from Alaska, Indiana, Louisiana, England and Germany before coming to Waco in 1965. She was truly devoted to her husband Bob, was a doting mother to her children, loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly, and cherished her friends.

She always had time to share a conversation, always so supportive and inspirational, and always said, “I love you!” She was a superb cook and every meal was cooked and presented with thought and perfection. She enjoyed nature’s beauty, especially flowers of any kind. Margaret was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church where she faithfully served as the Bereavement Committee Chair for many years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Harold Deakin, Delay Deakin, and Alfred Deakin; and six sisters, Grace Doerfel, Florence LaVoice, Mable Seekins, Sarah Bookhaven, Marjorie Hamilton, and Mary Deakin.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Bob Ross; two sons, Daniel J. Ross and wife, Marsha of Fort Worth, TX, and Robert E. Ross Jr. of Waco; daughter, Susan R. Meyer and husband, Richard of Dallas, Tex.; grandchildren, Robert E. Ross III, David Ross, Angela Hart, Patricia Beason, Justin Ross, Anna Meyer, Grace Meyer, William Meyer and Marie Meyer; five great-grandchildren, Jackson, Lauren, Ella, Gavin, and Christian; three nieces, Virginia Toliver, Elizabeth Deakin, Patty Robbins and Marion Lee Doerfel; and nephews, James Deakin, Tommy Deakin, and Bill Hagerdon.

Memorials may be made to St. Louis Catholic Church or Reicher High School.