Bernadette Mary (Choquette) Ross

Bernadette M. (Choquette) Ross, 92, of Springfield, born in North Adams, MA, on May 26, 1927, a daughter of the late Romuald J. and Regina A. (Langlois) Choquette.  She attended North Adams schools and was a graduate of the former Notre Dame Commercial High School. Following her graduation and marriage to John A. Ross in September 24, 1949 in North Adams, Bernadette became the mother of five boys.  Later, when the boys were in school, she worked for Sprague Electric in North Adams; worked as Veteran’s Agent in Clarksburg, MA;, was one of the first people to be trained to work with computers for General Electric in Pittsfield, MA; computer operator for Adams Supermarket in Adams, MA;.   When her children were grown, she and her husband relocated to Poughkeepsie, NY and Bernadette worked for the State of NY and was a computer operator for a local computer business. Bernadette and John then moved to the Springfield, MA area in 1986 to be near their family. In retirement, Bernadette kept herself busy by taking care of her grandchildren, volunteering with her church as a Eucharistic Minister and bringing communion to those in local nursing homes. She loved her Catholic faith, was a daily communicant, attended local prayer groups and met and kept many wonderful friends. She loved to sew and was an excellent seamstress. She enjoyed having her family around her for the holidays and family celebrations and no one left hungry. She and her husband loved to camp, and the family has many wonderful memories of these outings. Bernadette was the beloved wife of the late John A. Ross who died on April 14, 2015 and leaves five loving sons, John (Becky-Anne) of Valrico, FL, Steven (Deborah) of Harpswell, ME, Timothy (Ann) of Hampden, ME, Gary (Linda) of Newport, NH, and Thomas (Sharon) of New Paris, PA; 9 cherished grandchildren, Christopher (Michelle), David (Christine), Michael, Eric (Betsy), Jennifer, Thomas, James, Steven and Katie; and four great-grandchildren, Lilly, Ellie, Lucas, and Sarinha, and many beloved nephews and nieces in the Ouellette, Choquette, Bessette and Fortin families. Bernadette also leaves forever friends, Lawrence and Gloria Phelps and Bob and Cathy Potvin and families.  She was predeceased by two sisters, Madeleine Ouellette Gravel and Roma Choquette; three brothers, Gerard, Elie and Antoine Choquette; and a granddaughter, Caitlin D Ross. The family would like to thank Summit Elder Care, East Longmeadow Nursing Center and her church, St. Catherine of Siena for the loving care that was given to Bernadette. A private funeral will be held at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen St., Springfield with Rites of Committal to conclude at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hampden. A Memorial Mass will be scheduled at a later date. Contributions in Bernadette’s name may be directed to the Missionaries of Charity, 724 NW 17th St., Miami, FL 33136.