Margaret Ellen Ross' Obituary
Margaret Ellen "Babe" Grace Ross, 84, life long resident of Decatur, passed away at 11:30pm on January 3, 2008 at Manor Care Nursing Home after a nearly yearlong battle with cancer.
Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 9:30 am Tuesday January 8, 2007 in Holy Family Catholic Church with Rev. Joe Molloy and Rev. Donald Wolford concelebrating. Visitation will be 4:00 - 7:00 pm Monday evening in Moran & Goebel Funeral Home with a Vigil Prayer service at 3:30pm. Burial will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery.
Babe was born on May 9, 1923 in Decatur, the third of five children born to Robert Richard Grace and Katherine Powers Grace. Babe grew up in the West End and attended Dennis Elementary School, Woodrow Wilson Junior High and graduated from Decatur High School in 1941. She attended Brown's Business College and worked for Dr. Stern for several years after graduation. She married James William "Bill" Ross on January 26, 1947 and together they raised five children.
Her unusual nickname came about shortly after she was born when her brother Bob, who could not pronounce Margaret, referred to her as "baby" and it was quickly shortened to Babe. Eventually, the only people who ever called her Margaret were telemarketers or the occasional individual uncomfortable greeting her with "Hey Babe!"
Babe had one great love in her life and that was her husband Bill. She and Bill brought out the best in each other during their 42-year marriage and they truly enjoyed each other's company. It didn't seem to matter if they were planning a weekend trip, a family party or a home improvement project they most always had fun. Bill passed away November 28, 1989 and she often said that no man could ever replace him and she didn't even want to try.
A homemaker for most of her adult life, Babe ventured into the work world once her youngest was in high school. In the late 1970's she was hired by Illinois Power as a tour guide at the newly constructed nuclear power plant in Clinton. Babe was the first to admit that she didn't know much about the nuclear power industry but she was a quick learner and a natural at meeting people who stopped by the visitor center. One of her favorite encounters was when "60 Minutes" came to town to film a segment and she met and had her photo taken with Harry Reasoner. She often referred to her years at IP as some of her happiest.
Babe's life revolved around three things, her husband Bill, her family and her home. Bill came first in her life and her bubbly enthusiasm was a good balance to his more serious nature. She loved to entertain and was genuinely thrilled when her doorbell rang and she had unexpected guests for dinner. All plans would be scrapped if any of her children or grandchildren was coming for a visit and Grandma Babe's house was always exciting and fun, not to mention fattening. Babe was famous for her chocolate chip cookies and friends and relatives would heap on the guilt if she forgot to whip up a batch, which she could practically do in her sleep! Babe often blamed Bill for the Ross sense of humor, and was relentlessly teased by her children and grandchildren. She will forever be known for an assortment of hilarious anecdotes affectionately dubbed "Babe-isms" by her kids. She loved her home of 53 years and even after Bill's death, continued to think up new home improvement projects and most involved incorporating her favorite color, pink, into the decorating scheme.
Babe is survived by her children, Sandra Griffin and husband Ron of Boonville, NC; Richard and wife Elaine of Ballwin, MO; Patricia Hedenberg and husband Paul of Decatur; James William Jr. of Chicago; and Barbara Koski and husband Jeff of Bloomington.
She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Christian Ross of Denver, CO; Shannon Ross Reithal and husband Scott of Norwalk, CT; Brandon Ross and Lauren Ross of St. Louis; Bryan Hedenberg and Bridget Hedenberg of Decatur, Ben Hedenberg and wife Leslie of Zionsville, IN; Colin Ross of Chattanooga, TN; Devin Ross of Memphis TN; Samuel Liss, Joseph Koski and William Koski of Bloomington; three great-grandchildren, Grace and Luke Hedenberg and Millie Reithal, two step-grandchildren Ian Griffin and wife Jenny Simpson of Ypsilanti, MI; and Dia Griffin and husband Mike Latif of Apex, NC; her sisters Joan and husband John Bennyhoff and Alice Jorgensen all of Decatur and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her good friend Marge Yoder of Decatur who was so loving and supportive during her illness. Her parents, brother Robert Grace and sister Mary Shoemaker preceded her in death.
A special thanks to the staff at Family Visiting Nurses for Babe's care while at home, especially Nancy Copeland; the staff at Manor Care, and Decatur Memorial Hospice for their tender care for Babe at the end of her life. The family asks that memorials be made to DMH Hospice in Babe's honor.
Babe was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be deeply missed.
The family of Margaret Ellen "Babe" Grace Ross is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur.
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