Linda Ross

Linda Fondren Ross –

Beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother , friend.

Linda Fondren ( Ross) was born to Naomi & Eugene (Tex) Fondren on April 5, 1949, in Toledo, Ohio. She was 67 years old when she passed away on July 8, 2016 at St. Luke's Hospital. Linda was a kind-hearted, selfless, gentle, loving soul who will be greatly missed.

She was one of 10 children & the oldest daughter. As such, she was our "big sister" who loved us like her own children. She was always so excited to welcome a new sibling baby into the family. She enjoyed spoiling her younger siblings, even spending her babysitting earnings to buy new outfits for her twin baby brother & sister. We were so fortunate to have Linda for our sister!

On August 30, 1969, Linda married the love of her life, her soulmate, Mike Ross. They had 4 children: Kelly, Robert, Michelle and Jason. Linda loved her family so much. She was the best wife & mother one could want. Linda loved unconditionally. She was continually tolerant & never judgmental. She was very sensitive to other's needs. She was the consummate caregiver.

A great listener, Linda provided counsel to family & friends daily and was our therapist, guidance counselor & coach. She was always supportive, even when she knew better. She believed in us & our ideas. She was behind us 100%. Linda was very intelligent & a wonderful teacher. She taught so many so much about life. She tried so hard to bring out the best in everyone. She was a beautiful example of a strong, loving Christian woman.

Linda loved to play games & we loved to play with her, even if she did win most of the time. She loved country music... especially the band, Alabama. She attended Country Concert in Ft. Loramie many times, surviving the elements first in a tent, then in a camper & finally in a hotel room!

Linda was a night owl! When the midnight hour came, she was just getting started! This facilitated many wonderful late-night phone conversations with family & friends.

Linda loved to cook & had her own catering business. She catered many family & friends' weddings & special events. She also liked to bake & decorate cakes. She loved the tradition of making clown cakes for each baby's 1st birthday.

Linda was so sweet & tender-hearted. St. Luke's Hospital plays a lullaby over the PA system every time a baby is born in the maternity ward to announce a new arrival. Even in her weakened condition these last weeks, she would rally, open her eyes, smile big & say, "There's another new baby!”

Linda & Mike were Harley- Davidson enthusiasts. Together, they enjoyed travelling across the country on their bike. They belonged to the Napoleon chapter & were good friends with many other members. Linda frequently volunteered for their "hogs & dogs" days & other social events.

Linda attended St. Joseph Elementary School in Sylvania, OH. She graduated from St. Ursula Academy in Toledo ,OH, class of 1967. She went on to earn her LPN degree at St. Vincent's School of Nursing. She retired after working more than 20 years as a night nurse at DECEM, now The Anne Grady Center. She loved her residents there & treated them like family, taking them into her heart & her home.

Linda worked full-time on the night shift so that she could attend her children's daytime school & athletic events. She was such a wonderful Mom! She was also a wonderful Grandmother with her happiest days being spent with her grandbabies!

A devout Catholic, Linda's faith has been tested & helped her through many struggles. She & Mike have faced many health issues & personal tragedies, but she has never wavered in her faith. Linda has been a longtime active member of St. Richard's Church in Swanton, OH. She worked many years with Mike at Knights of Columbus activities.

Linda is survived by daughter, Michelle (Phil) Huss, son, Jason Ross and Amy (Jim) Gross; grandchildren: Matt, Glinda, Mike, Robert, Phillip Jr. (Amber), Devin, Brittany, Mariah, and Eric; great-grandchildren: Lily Ann, Mikeylla, Adley and Lily; siblings: Larry (Liz) Fondren, Bruce (Cathy) Fondren, Laura (Kenny) Fuchs, Jan Redmann, Ralph (Mary) Fondren, Brian Fondren, Pat (Tina) Fondren, Mark (Sharon) Fondren and Mary Fondren-Beakas ( Jim); in-laws: Carmen ( Tim) Thurman,

Cathy Ross; Shari, Melissa , Jeanne, Shannon; a multitude of nieces and nephews; Aunt Dottie Weston and many special friends.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband Mike, son Robert, daughter Kelly; parents Naomi and Eugene (Tex) Fondren; nieces Kirsten, Megan and Jaidyn, and nephews Angel and Harrison; and her lifelong friend Cathy Nolan Hawran.

Ever the leader, Linda is the first of the 10 brothers and sisters to pass away. She was truly an angel on earth, that has now returned home to prepare the way for the rest of us.

Thank you, Linda, for being such a blessing in our lives! Until we are all reunited again in Heaven, remember how much we love you. Your grateful family.

Visitation for Linda will be Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 2 - 8 PM. , with the rosary recitation at 7:30PM, at Weigel Funeral Home, 204 Chestnut St., Swanton, OH. The funeral will be Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Richard's Church, 333 Brookside Dr., Swanton. Burial will be at a later date at St. Joseph Cemetery, Sylvania, OH.

Residence: Swanton, Ohio

Visitation: Tuesday, July 12th from 2 to 8 pm at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton

Mass of Resurrection: Wednesday, July 13th at 11:00 am at St. Richard Catholic Church

Interment: St. Joseph's Cemetery, Sylvania