Wanda "Maxine" Ross, 87, passed away Thursday, April 9, 2020, at A Touch of Excellence care home in Peoria, AZ.
Maxine was born June 13, 1932, in Potosi, MO. She was the eighth and final child of Thomp and Annie (Coffman) Skaggs. Her siblings called her "Mac" and was doted upon by each of them. She was the apple of her Daddy's eye, and unfortunately, lost her mother when she was only six years old. Her sister, Lucille, then took on the role of 'mother' for Maxine.
From all accounts, even from “Mac” herself, she grew up quickly and was on her own at a very tender age. Maxine began working as a store clerk in the local drug store when she was merely 13 and first married at the young age of only 16. She worked as a shoe model and in time worked as a comptometer operator. As fate would have it she eventually wound up with a position as a secretary at Midas Mufflers in Chicago, Illinois. Midas is where she met the love of her life, Norman John Ross. What a great man Norm turned out to be too! Maxine came along with three children, and he wasn’t deterred in the slightest. Norm and Maxine married in Chicago in Feb. of 1965. They were able to purchase their first home in Hickory Hills, IL, where three years later they welcomed a daughter, and two years after that a son. Maxine’s focus on her children continued as she stayed home to ensure that everyone was fed well, was at school on time, and loved always. As money grew tight with the addition of her two youngest children, Maxine worked as a banquet hostess at the Martinique in Chicago. She would go to work after Norm arrived home. She worked late into the evening but was still up and ready to get the kids off to school the next day. The family eventually moved to a new home in Palos Hills, IL, but not long after this move, Norm was offered employment in California. They settled in Claremont, CA, in 1977.
Claremont was just the right place for Maxine and Norm to raise their family. They became members of Claremont Presbyterian Church, where Norm served as a deacon. Intent on focusing on her children, Maxine found work at the Claremont Unified School District so that she would have the same schedule as her school aged kids, and she eventually saw her grandchildren go through the district as well. She worked for the school district until 1997, when she retired from the position of Food Services Manager for El Roble Intermediate School.
Maxine's beloved husband, Norm, passed away in 1997. From here, Maxine continued to focus on what she felt was God's mission for her which was to ensure her children knew the value of family. She was a dedicated fan of everything her family did and supported each of them through good times and tough times, making sure they knew she was always there for them, whether it be for a boost in confidence, a ride to a friend's house, a home cooked meal, or simply an ear for listening or a shoulder upon which to cry. Maxine did all of this with the love and faith of Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom Maxine gave her life as a little girl and to whom she has now followed home.
Maxine is survived by her five children, Karen Kerns (Glendale, AZ), Deborah Lessall (Glendale, AZ), Ken Ross (Upland, CA), Tracy Doebler (Upland, CA), and John Ross (Santa Barbara, CA); her seven grandchildren, Kimberly (Ross) Chaffee, Matthew Ross, Kristin (Kerns) Taylor, Steven Kerns, Jeffrey Doebler, Jacen Doebler, and Amber Ross; as well as her four great-grandchildren, Kalena Taylor, Maleah Taylor, Adelaide Kerns, and Rylee Chaffee. Maxine was preceded in death by her loving husband, Norm Ross and each of her siblings from Missouri and Illinois (Ernest Franklin Skaggs, Berniece Mildred (Skaggs) Burt, Helen Skaggs, Lucille Della (Skaggs) Buckhannon, Steven Eugene Skaggs, MaryBelle (Skaggs) Wilson, and Alvatine (Skaggs) York.
Maxine will be buried alongside Norm at Riverside National Cemetery. A celebration of life will take place sometime later this year due to our current national health situation. The family would like to especially thank Ana Westwood as well as her staff, Denise, Joan, and Althea, from A Touch of Excellence care home in Peoria, AZ, for their never ceasing compassion and tenderness in portraying all the love of our Savior to each and every one of their residents. Thanks also to Teryn Lies and Tony Maldonado from Phoenician Hospice for their commitment of care and nurturing.
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
Please enter the amount you would like to give and click continue.
