| NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 21 -- Bishop Provenzano announced that Edna Farrell Ross, mother of Jeanne Provenzano, died last night at approximately 11 p.m., after a period of illness. A Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, December 23, at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, Rope Ferry Road, Waterford, CT. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut, 227 Dunham Street Norwich, CT 06360. The bishop added, "For our congregations in Long Island, let us keep family and parish communities as our focus as we move toward Christmas Eve."
Edna Farrell Ross, 75, died peacefully on December 20, 2009 at Bridebrook Nursing Home in Niantic, CT. Her strong spirit sustained her through many years of continued and debilitating illness. Edna is survived by her husband of 53 years, Arthur F. Ross, of Niantic, CT, and their five children, Arthur J. Ross (Lyndi) of Simsbury, CT, Michael J. Ross (Jeanne) of Essex, CT, Peter F. Ross (Connie) of Old Lyme, CT, Jeanne M. Provenzano (Larry) of Garden City, NY, and William B. Ross (Cora) of Marlborough, CT. Edna is also survived by her eleven grandchildren, Emily and Rebecca Ross, Kelley and Caralyn Ross, Marissa, Rachel and Erin Ross, Kathryn, Mary, and Christopher Provenzano, and Marcy Quinn. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Farrell of Montville, CT, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Edna was born on January 21, 1934 in New London, CT, to Alfred Farrell and Rose Hamilton Farrell. While growing up, she lived with her family in Cape May, N.J., and then returned to New London, CT. She attended St. Mary School in New London, CT and graduated from New London High School in 1952 after attending Chapman Technical High School in New London for three years. She was awarded a scholarship to the Massachusetts General Hospital, School of Nursing and received an R.N in 1955. She earned a BS in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State College, Willimantic, CT in 1990, and a M.S. in Nursing from St. Joseph's College, West Hartford, CT in 1994, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Edna began her nursing career working at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She then returned to Connecticut and worked at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London, CT. After time off to begin a family, she returned to nursing with the Visiting Nurses of New London, CT. She then went on to become the Director of Nurses at Camelot Nursing Home in New London, CT. She ended her years in nursing working at the Norwich State Hospital for 20 years. Edna was dedicated to making a difference with her patients, as well as with her nursing colleagues throughout her career. After her family was grown, she routinely volunteered to work holidays to enable her colleagues with young families to enjoy holiday time. She also committed countless hours toward union initiatives aimed at improving conditions for health care providers and the patients they serve. Edna was a lifelong Roman Catholic and communicant for many years of St Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Waterford, CT. |
