She was born March 25, 1920 in New York City the daughter of Charles Dempsey Donahue and Matilda Higgins Donahue. Barbara attended Spence School, Ethel Walker School and Vassar College.
She was an original member of the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS). She later became the commanding Officer of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS) at Romulus Army Air Base in Michigan.
On November 22, 1946 she married Captain Howard Ross. In December 1950, Captain and Mrs. Ross purchased Acorn Farm in Warrenton where they raised a family and ran a dairy operation.
During those years Miz Ross/Donnie was an avid horse enthusiast, fox hunter and active supporter of community activities. Beginning in the mid-1980s, Granmom became a super soccer fan for each of her grandchildren. Family and friends will remember her for her generosity, hospitality, kindness, high spirits, sense of fun, grand gestures, courage, grace under pressure and sense of humor.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband and a daughter, Barbara Mildred Ross. She is survived by a son, Charles Ross, and two daughters, Patricia Drunagel and Helen Ford, all of Warrenton, and seven grandchildren.
A private family service will be held on Acorn Farm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be sent to either the Americans for Immigration Control, P.O. Box 738 Monterey, VA 24465-0738, Fauquier SPCA, P.O. Box 733, Warrenton, VA 20188, the Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1606 or to the charity of your choice.
_____
Respectfully reposted from the Moser Funeral Home site.
Nancy Parrish
Aug. 30, 2010
God Bless you and all those that mourn this amazing woman who lived a life many of us dream to do. Amen! :)
ReplyDelete