Barbara D. (Dezotell) Ross

GILBERT, AZ

   Barbara Ross’ spirit passed peacefully, with her family at her side in Gilbert, Arizona on the afternoon of August 26th.  A hardy and determined New Englander, she passed less than 6 months short of her 100th birthday.

   Born in Woronoco, MA on February 3rd, 1925, Barbara was the second daughter of Delbert “Del” and Almeda Dezotell.  Known to her friends as Barb, she was a product of the Great Depression, which profoundly shaped her values toward thrift and economy in all regards.

   Barb graduated from Westfield High in 1942.  After graduation, she went to work at Friendly’s Ice Cream’s main office in West Springfield.  Later, she worked as a receptionist at Stanley Home Products in Westfield, MA.

   Barb was quick to take up tennis, bicycling and jogging in the 1970s as the new fads caught on, and was a familiar sight jogging up and down Western Avenue until she was in her late-80s.  Always a sensible eater, she kept her form into old age, and never left the house without dressing and ornamenting herself to the hilt with eye-catching fashion and jewelry.

   Volunteering was one of Barbara’s passions, and she logged over 14,863 hours at Noble Hospital – starting in 1971, and continuing until at least the age of 88.  She could regularly be seen manning the hospital gift shop, or delivering inter-office mail.

   Christian faith was a driving force in Barbara’s life, and she regularly attended church services and Bible studies in and around Westfield.  This faith was certainly a factor in her drive for community service.

   Barbara gave up driving of her own initiative just short of her 92nd birthday.  Since that time, two caregivers in particular – Ali and Mary, both of Westfield, provided indispensable companionship and care, for which the family feels immense gratitude.  The dedicated staff at The Arbors at Westfield provided her with a safe and secure, home-like environment where she could thrive until after her 99th birthday.  The family thanks those special staff who opened their hearts to her during those many years.

   She was preceded in death by her father, Delbert, in 1981, and her mother, Almeda, in 1998 – both born in 1900.  She also outlived both her sister, Muriel Griffin, of Newland, N.C.; and her brother, Lawrence “Dezzy” Dezotell, of Russell, MA.

   She is survived and greatly missed by her two sons, David, of Tucson, AZ, and Andrew, of Gilbert, AZ; Andrew’s wife, Teresa; as well as Andrew’s six children: Allan II, Jennifer, Alexander, Andrew II, Keilah and Anthony.  The family plans a private memorial service.

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