On Monday, September 18, 2023, Mary Ann Margaret Ross, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother went home to be with her Lord.

Born in Bayonne, New Jersey on February 12th, 1942, to Andrew and Lucy Annunziata and raised in Bayonne until the age of ten before her father moved them to Temple City, California, Mary Ann was an only child and deeply loved by her parents.

She later attended the University of Southern California where she was a member of Beta Sigma Phi. After a football game, Mary Ann met Earl Ross on the Rose Bowl field when their universities competed against each other. A relationship quickly grew, and they then exchanged vows on the 4th of November in 1962. During their 57 years of marriage, they had two daughters, Kimberly, and Kristi.

Mary Ann had a diverse career which included executive assistant and restaurant owner. Mary Ann also operated three seasonal snack shacks while living in California before retiring in Chewelah, Washington. When retirement wasn't her jam, The PartyWorks was built.  What soon became the family business, began with one collection of party goods in a bedroom. It then grew over the years moving from the bedroom to a shed, then from the shed to a shop that was for her husband's car restoration hobby before moving into Main Street in Chewelah. From there The PartyWorks moved into a warehouse outside of Chewelah and sold over 10,000 cake and party decorations worldwide.

As the years went by her life was filled with Love and Laughter as a self-declared Un-Grown-Up. Mary Ann honored her youthful spirit by going to musicals, dancing in the kitchen while cooking with her grandchildren, playing cards and backgammon on a regular basis, and supporting numerous organizations including the Chewelah Arts Guild and Lions Club. Mary Ann had an imagination like no other and would come up with all kinds of things that could make your day a little brighter. She once turned a roadside clean up into a scavenger hunt. And, in another instance, she came up with a way to raise money by hosting a horse race where the guests attending were asked to dress in inflatable horse costumes and race around the track. Mary Ann had a way to turn everyday tasks into games that just made her life, and the lives of those around her that more enjoyable.

Mary Ann would ask any stranger she met an off the wall question that would lead to a friendship. She was genuinely curious, fascinated and honored to learn someone's life story. If you were lucky enough to have met her, you knew you were blessed and loved.

Mary Ann leaves behind her two incredible daughters, Kimberly Lainson (Rick), Kristi Chenette (Jean-Paul); ten active grandchildren, Richy Lainson, Andrew Lainson, Jon Lainson, Patrick Lainson, Wesley Chenette, Emelyn Williams, Autumn Chenette, Will Chenette, Melia Chenette, Evens Chenette and some sweet great grandchildren, Keira Lainson, Evelyn Lainson, Soleil Williams, and Asa Chenette.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at St Mary of the Rosary in Chewelah, Washington, with a graveside service to follow at St. Mary of the Rosary Catholic Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions can be made to Chewelah Arts Guild, Chewelah Food Bank, Becky's Best Friends, Chewelah Lions Club, or the Catholic Church.