Dorothy L. Ross

On May 4, as she slept, Dorothea (Dorothy) Lee Pressley Ross passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior.  Dorothy was born on July 15, 1938 to Daniel and Mary Jane Pressley in Cullowhee, Jackson County, North Carolina.

In 1946, the family of three moved to Washington, PA to care for her grandfather, Rev David Pressley, a retired minister of Mt Hermon Baptist Church, and her step grandmother, Emma Pressley, who was going blind.

Dorothy graduated from Washington High School in 1956 and attended one year at Penn Commercial.  She was employed as a clerk in the business office of GC Murphy.

In 1956, Dorothy was introduced, by her friend, Patty Jo Ross, to Patty’s brother, Richard Lee Ross, who quickly became the love of her life. Richard loved Dorothy with all of his heart and on May 10, 1957 they were married. The following year they welcomed their first daughter, Rhonda Lynn. They were blessed with 2 more daughters , Karen Sue and Terri Lee.

Dorothy was a stay at home mom and loved caring for her husband and daughters, creating a warm and loving home for them.

On October 9, 1961, Dorothy accepted Jesus as the Lord and Savior of her life. She read daily devotionals to her children and taught them to place their faith in Jesus and to pray.

She loved to tell others about her relationship with Jesus. She was truly a light to her family and friends and a blessing to all who knew her. In the mornings you would find her reading the Bible and devotional books while sipping her hot chocolate.

Dorothy enjoyed attending church with her husband and family and loved singing in the choir. Over the years she attended the First Baptist Church, Christian Missionary Alliance, South Hills Baptist and Riverside Community Assembly of God.

On March 25, 2024, she lost her beloved husband and best friend, Richard, with whom she has joyfully been reunited. She is also enjoying eternity with her grandson, Joshua Swartz, whom she adored, her parents and grandparents. Dorothy spoke many times about being excited to meet her Grandmother, Ella Pressley, in heaven. Ella had passed within days of giving birth to Dorothy’s father, Daniel.

Dorothy loved her family with all of her heart and was so proud of each one of them. She was her happiest when she was surrounded by her grandchildren and great grandchildren who called her “GG”.

Left to cherish her memory are her Daughters, Rhonda DelRio, Karen (Ted) Cukryznski, and Terri (Doug) Swartz; Grandchildren Zachary (Kayla) and Micah DelRio, Nathan Cukryznski, Rachel Engle, Daniel (Stefani) Cukryznski, and Benjamin (Alyssa) Cukryznski, Sarah (Jordon) Wheeler and Rebecca (Brett) McKelvey; and her Great Grandchildren Elijah and Naomi Cukryznski, Emily and Tommy Engle, Skye and Eliana Cukryznski, Evangeline and Lily Cukryznski, Elias, Judah and Abigail Wheeler, and Maddox and Greyson McKelvey.

Dorothy’s favorite birds were cardinals and she enjoyed watching them and collecting them.  We all loved and will greatly miss our mom, Grandma and GG, and we will think of her whenever we see a cardinal.

The daughters of Dorothy Ross would like to thank Gateway Hospice for their compassionate care of our mom and their support for us. 

Friends and family are invited to the William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Ave. Washington PA 15301 on Thursday May 7, 2026 from 4PM to 8PM.  A funeral service will take place on May 8, 2026 at the funeral home at 10AM followed by burial at Washington Cemetery.