Jean C. Ross

Jean Claire Ross passed away at 68 in Milwaukee on December 17, 2015. Born in Jackson, Michigan in 1947, Jean was preceded in death by her parents Julia (Cocanower) and Donald Ross and sister Jill (Hammersley). She is survived by her sister Janice Ross of Portland Oregon and by many friends and relatives.

A lifelong resident of Milwaukee, Jean obtained a Bachelor's degree and a Master of Library Science both from UW-Milwaukee. Jean worked in the Milwaukee Public Library system from1977 until retirement in 2006. Jean was appreciated for many years of service to the citizens of Milwaukee and for her notable work in support of literacy, reading and culture. Jean's other career as a poet included her active membership in the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets, being a regular attendee and featured reader at Poets Monday. Her poetry was published many times, most recently in the Walt Whitman anthology A Taste of Poetry.

Private burial occurred on December 22, 2015 in Osceola, Indiana. Plans for a memorial service in Milwaukee are underway. Memorial donations can be made to Milwaukee Public Library Foundation at 814 W Wisconsin Ave 53233 (mpl.org) or Woodland Pattern Book Center at 720 E Locust St Milwaukee 53212 (woodlandpattern.org).

She will be remembered as a poet extraordinaire, crack genealogist, loyal friend and beloved sister.