Mary C. Ross, 81, died peacefully at her home in West End, North Carolina on Friday, December 31, 2010 after losing a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. She was born on July 2, 1929 at Satanta, KS the daughter of Charles J. and Mildred (Snyder) Conover.

Mary C., as she preferred to be called, graduated from Satanta High School in 1947 and married Kent Ross in 1948. In 1967, she graduated from Dodge City Community College Department of Practical Nurse Education, with a LPN degree, and was awarded the Nightingale Award for excellence in nursing. She worked as a nurse at the Dodge City Medical Center for 25 years before retiring in 1992. She moved to North Carolina in 2006, at the daring age of 77, after having lived most of her life in Kansas. Mary C. loved her books, her music, her cats (Skippy and Tippy), and her family. We all loved her for her strength, courage, independence, and willingness to always lend an ear, usually followed by words of wisdom.

Mary C. is survived by two daughters, Brenda Scott and husband Larry of Seven Lakes, NC and Sue Franks and husband Alan of Alexandria, VA; one son, David Ross and wife Becky of Medicine Lodge; one brother, Jack Conover and wife Norma of Satanta; one granddaughter, Tiffany Ross Day and husband Justin of Lawrence; one grandson, Ryan Ross and fiance Rachel Dinnin of Overland Park; one aunt, Lucille Simpson fo Satatna, one nephew, Stan Conover of Newton; and one niece, Ellen Rader of Wilson.

A Celebration of Life Reception will be held at Swaim Funeral Home, Dodge City, on Friday, January 14, 2011 from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Animal Advocates of Moore County, NC or the American Cancer Society in care of Swaim Funeral Home – 1901 Sixth Avenue – Dodge City, KS 67801. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.