| | Published June 14, 2017
| Karen David Ross
| | |  | | October 21, 1942 - May 24, 2017 |
Karen David Ross was born Karen David Resnick on October 21, 1942, in Rockford, Illinois. Her parents were Rose David of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and Jerry Resnick of Chicago, Illinois. Karen is survived by her husband, Dr. Joel C. Ross and her three sons, Kevin Ray, Keith Michael and Curtis Paul Ross. She was the grandmother of four, Jakob Castillo, Samuel O'Brien, Lukas Augustin and Emilia Ann Ross. To her grandchildren, Karen was just "Nana" or "Gammy." She was loved by her daughters-in-law, Claudia Castillo and Catherine O'Brien Ross, and by Taralyn Tietjen, the fiancée of Dr. Curtis Ross. She was loved by her brother, Kalman Resnick, and his wife, Benetta Mansfield, of Chicago, Illinois and her dear Aunt Eileen Lasky (Aunt Babe) and Uncle Marvin Lasky of Rossmoor, California.
Karen grew up in Chicago where she graduated from Goudy Elementary School in Evanston, Illinois and then graduated from Evanston Township High School. Karen graduated with a bachelor's degree in teaching from the National College of Education, now National Louis University. While a student at National, she met her husband, Dr. Joel C. Ross. Karen and Joel were married on July 3, 1963, in Wood Dale, Illinois. Their first son, Kevin Ray Ross, was born in 1967 in Skokie, Illinois. In 1969, Karen and Joel moved to Travis Air Force Base in Travis, California, where their second son, Keith Michael was born. In 1971, they moved to Orinda, California where they lived for 44 years. Their third son Curtis Paul Ross was born in 1978. In 2015, Karen and Joel Ross moved to Rossmoor.
During her time in Orinda, Karen founded Rossera Designs, a successful interior design business. Rossera Designs provided sophisticated design services throughout the East Bay and San Francisco and elsewhere in California. Karen also participated in many activities in her community, including serving as a docent at the Oakland Museum of California and volunteering at her sons' schools in Orinda and with Raphael House in San Francisco. She travelled extensively throughout the world with friends and family. She was a passionate collector of antique estate and costume jewelry. Several of her signed pieces will be donated to the causes she felt most close to.
Karen leaves behind the legacy of her family and the affection of her many friends. She will be dearly missed by all those that knew her. Her passion and energy will never be forgotten.
Aunt Babe's description of Karen says it all:
Karen lived every day of her life to the fullest. To say it was joie de vivre is putting it mild. Being dull was not her style. Her presence never went without notice. She will be missed by one and all.
Karen died on May 24, 2017 from complications stemming from a stroke in 2012. During the past six years, she fought her health battles with a positive attitude, a strong sense of humor, and a commitment above all to her love for her family.
There will be a celebration of Karen's life at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Building on June 17 between 12 and 4:00 p.m. to commemorate the woman we knew and loved.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA