Violet Rosella Horner Ross, 83, of Bellefonte, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at her home.
Born Dec. 3, 1925, in Linden Hall, she was one of 12 children of the late John and Marian Horner. On July 13, 1946, she married Samuel Ross, who has unfailingly cared for her each day of her prolonged illness, allowing her to remain at home.
The couple lived in Lemont from 1955 until 1964, when they moved to Bellefonte. Violet worked several jobs, including at Acme grocery store in State College and as a printing machine operator at Penn State, before joining her brother, Frank, at Horner's Book Store in downtown State College.
For many years, she was a member of the EUB church in Lemont, where she sang in the choir. Violet enjoyed singing and often sang at family gatherings.
Violet also helped raise many grandchildren and cared for many other children, as well as animals large and small that turned up on her doorstep.
In addition to her loving husband of 63 years, she is survived by her children, Connie (Mike) McCoy and Jerry (Paula) Ross, both of Bellefonte; five grandchildren, Brian Ross, John Houser, Jennifer Lannan, Timberly Ross and Lindsey Ross; and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are siblings John Horner Jr., Frank Horner and Cecille Burkholder.
Friends and family will be received Monday, October 19, 2009, from 2 p. m. until the time of the funeral service at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service, 1034 Benner Pike, State College. The funeral will follow at 3 p.m. Interment will be in Centre County Memorial Park, 1032 Benner Pike, State College, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Medi-Home Health & Hospice, 341 Science Park Rd., State College, PA 16803. Without Hospice help, it would have been nearly impossible for Violet to remain at home during her illness.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com