Minnie Ross Obituary

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Minnie Amelia Ross entered into rest in Albuquerque, N.M., on July 5, 2009, after a seven-month illness.

She was born Minnie Amelia Washburn on May 15, 1926, to Rae O. Washburn and Mabel Wagner Washburn in Montpelier. She attended schools in Montpelier and married Howard "Howie" Thomas Ross from New York City in 1944. Howie was quickly sent into the war in Europe with the National Guard. The Rosses were blessed with the births of their two daughters, Diane Marie Ross and Judy Gayle Ross. After living in New York City and Montpelier, the Ross family found their permanent home in Albuquerque in 1961. Minnie worked for the city of Albuquerque and became the first woman jail supervisor in the state, retiring from that position after more than 25 years of service. She and Howie had 49 years together and their social life often revolved around their Model A car club, the Poco Quatros. Minnie took a great deal of pleasure in her grandchildren, and in supporting their educational endeavors.

After Howie's death in 1993, she turned to her passion of supporting our veterans and the military, especially in time of war. She identified readily with the military as her father, brothers, a daughter and a grandson had all served. Minnie worked long and hard for the Disabled American Veterans, the Blue Star Wives, the Gold Star Mothers, and the New Mexico Veterans Memorial. She spent years of Christmas mornings delivering presents and friendship to the veterans in the VA hospital. She greeted homecoming veterans at the airport as often as seven times a week, packed CARE packages for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and lobbied in the N.M. legislature for pro-veteran legislation. In 2007, she was honored with a nomination to be "New Mexico Woman of the Year" with the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women, by the VFW Post 401 for her work for veterans. Minnie's absence from the veterans support groups created a vacuum that will not soon be filled. With her death, New Mexico lost a "proud to be an American" patriot.

Minnie was preceded in death by her husband Howie, her sister Mrs. Joe (Mabel) Bissell, and her brothers Maurice, Frank and Rae "Bud" Washburn Jr. She is survived by her sister Mrs. Kenneth (Gloria) Demingware and her brother Roger "Chuck" Washburn, in Vermont. She is also survived by her daughters Diane Mowles and Judy Moss, grandchildren Theresa Garcia-Baca, Kenneth Graves and Dee Dee Mowles, and great-grandchildren Ana Lisa Graves, Allan Garcia, John Ross Graves, Ashley Graves, Erik Mowles, Charles DeLao and Andrea DeLao.

A service was held on Thursday, July 9, 2009, at French Mortuary University Blvd. Chapel in Albuquerque, N.M. Burial followed at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Please visit our online guestbook for Minnie at www.RememberTheir Story.com.