Sara Nora Ross

 URBANA - Sara Nora Ross, 73, of Ogden died Saturday evening (Nov. 11, 2023) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

There will be a visitation Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St., C, with the rosary recited at 6 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 708 W. Main St., U. Sara will be cremated after the Mass, and her cremated remains will be buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in a ceremony next week.

Sara was born on March 22, 1950, in Pennsylvania, to Charles and Frances (Leaman) Donelson. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Alan Donelson.

She is survived by her three children, Joan Crist (Josef Dou), Paul Ross and Charles Ross; her sister, Cecilia (John) Geist; and grandchildren, Willy, Jack, Katie and Taylor.

In her early years, Sara worked as a self-employed CPA. She was active in her parish (St. Andrews), where she created the youth program and was a Jesuit spiritual director.

She later earned a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies with a specialty in psychology and conflict resolution. She became a professor and program director at Antioch University and was a consultant for local government issues. Sara was also a co-editor for an academic journal. She completed her last edit just weeks before her death.

NG 11/14/2023