Obituary of Marguerite Nellie Ross

Marguerite Nellie Ross peacefully passed away in her sleep on May 14, 2010, with her son, Angelo Rafael Ross Jr., by her side. She was 103. Marguerite was born in Santa Cruz, California on October 14, 1906 to Peter and Linda Canepa. The youngest of three children, Marguerite was a life long resident of Santa Cruz, attending Laurel Elementary School and Santa Cruz High School where she excelled in mathematics and physical education. Mirroring the values taught by her parents, Marguerite was a honest and tireless worker, qualities she showcased at a Santa Cruz bakery, Cannery Row in Monterey and the LuVac cannery. Marguerite met her husband in 1930 at the Coconut Grove ballroom where her beautiful smile, twinkling eyes and graceful dance steps captured the heart of her beloved Angelo Rafael Ross, Sr. Marguerite and Angelo were married for 59 years and enjoyed life surrounded by family, living in the same house for an incredible 100 years. Her brother and sister lived within walking distance and it was common to find the entire family together on many nights, sharing stories, love and laughter. An inspiration to all in everything she did, Marguerite was an avid gardener, as evidenced by her still flourishing rose bushes, lemon trees, avocado trees and figs. A fantastic cook, she loved making homemade ravioli, gnocchi, pesto, minestrone soup, calamari and sand dabs. An expert in the art of crochet, she created numerous and beautiful scarves, blankets and afghans for her beloved family and friends -- all of which are cherished and worn proudly to this day. She also loved to play gin, especially with her son-in-law, Fred, spending countless hours beating him and all others. She loved music, watching re-runs of Lawrence Welk every Saturday night and listening to Dean Martin every morning. Marguerite lived to watch her children, grand children and great grand children play sports, often braving inclement weather to watch her great-grandson, Michael Angelo Gangloff, play football, basketball, baseball and soccer. Every fall Friday night, along with her daughter, Diane Marguerite Treseler, she would listen to the radio broadcast of her beloved Palma Chieftans play football, where her son, Angelo Rafael Ross Jr., has been an assistant coach for 32 years. Marguerite was a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church and of the SPRSI, the largest women's Portuguese lodge. She also received a proclamation from the mayor of Santa Cruz, establishing October 14, 2006 as "Marguerite Nellie Ross Day," recognizing her 100th birthday. A recent highlight of Marguerite's life included traveling to San Francisco by limousine to witness the marriage of her granddaughter, Stephanie Treseler Colvin and Zachary Colvin in Jan. 2009 -- all after spending 46 days in the hospital. She also loved to crochet with her granddaughters, Pamela Treseler Gangloff and Stephanie, who spent hours talking, laughing and reminiscing. Her eyes would light up when her granddaughters and great grandson walked in the door. A devoted wife, sibling, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, friends and family will forever remember her as an incredibly spirited, and giving human being who loved, laughed and experienced life to its fullest. As a person who always found the redeeming qualities in everyone, even those she just met, Marguerite gave people a sense of fulfillment. After meeting Marguerite, people knew their lives had been touched and enriched. The family wishes to thank Dr. Laura Garvin, Dr. Raj Singh, Dr. Surinder Kumar, Dr. Juan Rodriguez, Dr. Alvie Hurray, Dr. Glenn Wong, Mary Ignizio, Julie Hinkel, Linda Weston and Cleva Petrikis for their many years of dedicated care and attention they gave Marguerite, enabling her to fully enjoy life to the very last day. Marguerite is preceded in death by her mother and father, Peter and Linda Canepa; husband, Angelo Rafael Ross, Sr.; brother, Sidney Canepa; sister, Louisa Canepa Storts. She is survived by her son, Angelo Rafael Ross, Jr.; daughter, Diane Marguerite Treseler; son-in-law, Frederick Treseler; granddaughters, Pamela Treseler Gangloff (Marvin Gangloff); Stephanie Treseler Colvin (Zachary Colvin); great grandson, Michael Angelo Gangloff; nieces, Gloria Gales, Shirley Lauricella, Dorothy Dickinson, Barbara Giannino and many other great and great-great nieces and nephews. A viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 18 from 6-8 p.m. at Pacific Gardens Chapel, located at 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, CA 95062. The funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 19 at 10 a.m. at Resurrection Church, 7600 Soquel Drive. Aptos, CA 95003. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Dominican Hospital, Department of Radiology, attention Dr. Juan Rodriguez, 1555 Soquel Dr. Santa Cruz, CA 95065, is preferred.