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BORN
1928
DIED
2015
Sari Ross Obituary
Sari Goodman Ross, age 86, died peacefully Wednesday April 1, 2015. She and her sweetheart Reid were celebrating 65 years of true wedded bliss aboard an old-fashioned sternwheeler riverboat on the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington. They were the love of each others' lives.
Her family and friends will miss her love, humor, generosity, and smile. The children of Durango will miss her endless store of "Sari Tales", enhanced by puppets, costumes, books, and ability to embellish her tales with the many accents of the world. An avid reader herself, she also loved inspiring children to read via storytelling. Her other loves were acting, cooking, traveling, collecting baskets, and being with her family. She was dedicated to the arts and early childhood education, volunteering for the Durango Arts Center and Early Learning Center. She had a heart as big as the great outdoors, where she spent some wonderful time with her husband and children on the San Juan, Colorado, Green, and Huzzah Rivers, as well as the Quetico wilderness of northern Minnesota and Canada. Over their 65 years together, she and Reid spent countless weeks visiting far-flung friends and relatives.
During her working years she taught Early Childhood, Montessori, and Special Education, and worked in Head Start programs using her B.A. in Speech and Drama and M.A. in Early Childhood Education.
She is survived by her husband and life long companion, Reid Ross of Durango; three children; Kathy Landazabal (Hector) of Arlington, VA, Janet Ross, of Monticello, UT, and Peter Ross (Noriko), of Tokyo, Japan; as well as two grandchildren; Claudia Landazabal of Baltimore, MD and Kent Ross of Boston, MA. A celebration of her life will be held later this summer at a place and time to be announced.
Donations in memory of Sari can be made to the Four Corners School of Outdoor Education, P.O. Box 1029, Monticello, Utah 84535.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sari Ross
Alan Wright
November 10, 2019
D. Reid Ross hired me right out of college in 1972 as a staffer for the St. Louis Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) for which he was the founder and Executive Director. In 1973 The RIDC was combined with the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce and St. Louis Research Council to form the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Assn. (RCGA) which still exists today.
D. Reid Ross, "Reid" to those who knew him, is a brilliant man, an original thinker, highly motivated, and an accomplished historian and author.
In the course of working for and with Reid, my young spouse and I were invited to their lovely home in University City, MO and met Sari who was a charming and accomplished person in her own right. We also spent a day at their log cabin project on the Huzzah River in the Missouri Ozarks.
A year or two before Sari's passing, I made a pilgrimage to Durango, CO to thank Reid and Sari for their long ago kindnesses and setting me on a successful life path. I had not seen them in 30+ years. They invited me to stay overnight, we had dinner, and I will never forget that the next day Sari personally got in her car and led me in my rental car to a downtown hotel where I was to meet a cousin. She was concerned that I might get lost (before Google navigation). News of her death several years ago brings sadness to my heart. God bless her! My sympathy to Reid and the Ross Children.
May 9, 2015
Having just heard of Sari's passing I wanted to say a word of thanks on behalf of The Durango Art Center. Sari spent countless hours at the volunteer's desk greeting visitors with her warm smile and welcoming way. She was a talented woman in many ways and the DAC benefited from her presence and I benefited from knowing her!
Sincerest Sympathy, Linda Bunk, Durango
Kathy Hallahan
May 8, 2015
My memories of Sari (Mrs. Ross to me) are from my teen years in University City. Janet was my good friend and neighbor. I remember how warm and kind Sari was, and what a good cook! I'd hang out hoping to be invited for supper. I remember being in her kitchen and asking how she made pot roast. It smelled so good. Once I joined the family for a Passover Seder, unannounced and sitting in for "Elijah"! and was amazed at all the exotic foods and stories that were told around the table. She always made me feel so welcome, and I can still hear her soft kind voice. Condolences to all. Kathy Hallahan
May 4, 2015
Reid and family --- sad learning about Sari's passing, she was a sweet friend and neighbor.
Warren & Eunice Kerzon
Sarah Newmeyer
April 20, 2015
Sari was special and so wonderful. My condolences to Reid and to all of the Ross family. Sari remains with all of us in the many ways she touched our lives. She will always be loved dearly.
April 20, 2015
Thank you so much for all that you contributed to this physical world. I enjoyed especially the Sari Tales given to me as a gift. Laughter and smiles is most needed in today's world. Thank you Sair Goodman Ross for your contribution to laughter,
Robert
Jan Bumcrot
April 14, 2015
To Sari's family and friends I send my deepest condolences. Sari was one of the sweetest women I had the pleasure to know. My Grandchildren love her Sari Tales. I know Janet & Reid will miss her so very much. Sending Hugs to you both...
April 14, 2015
What a privilege to have shared time with Sari while we were living at Falls Creek Ranch. What a treasure! Karen & Charlie
Sylvia and Charlie
April 14, 2015
Your Seattle friends will miss you! All our love to Reid during this difficult time.
Sally peashock
April 13, 2015
Sari will be greatly missed. She was much loved.
Haz Said
April 12, 2015
I will miss her so much.
Danielle Freeman
April 12, 2015
Sari's unbounded good cheer will be missed by many. Her life itself was a beautiful story!
Danielle Freeman
Barney Anderson
April 11, 2015
Oh shucks! Sari, I thought your stories would go on and on forever. I am sure they will just in another realm. Reid, my old (but young at heart) friend take care - you have so many friends (Democrats) and kids that you will only have time to remember the great moments with Sari.
Nora Tracy
April 11, 2015
Friday lunch group was better because of Sari. I will hold those memories in my heart forever. Bye dear friend.
Lindsay Noisom
April 10, 2015
When my daughters were little, they'd fall asleep almost every night to a cassette of Sari's "Sari Tales" which they loved.
We'll miss you, Sari!
Marcia Pena (Ross) Thompson
April 10, 2015
Sari was the kindest person I have ever known. The world would be a better and more peaceful place if we had more people like Sari.
Marcia Pena (Ross) Thompson
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