Joy Ross

Joy Ross, a 44-year resident of Fallbrook, CA, passed away at noon on May 4, 2005. Joy had been fighting Alzheimer’s disease for eight years.

Joy was born in Douglas, AZ, in December of 1924. Her family moved to El Paso, where she completed her elementary and secondary education, and graduated with honors from the College of Mines and Metalurgy (now called the University of Texas, El Paso). Her two brothers Charles Gallagher, an American Airlines captain, and Rial Gallagher, an Air Force Colonel, are now deceased.

After graduation from college, Joy became an airline stewardess, where she met her husband-to-be, Max Harper, a Major and pilot in the Marine Corps. They had three children, Patricia, Phillip and Max. Major Harper was killed in action on his last mission in the Korean War.

In 1960, Joy married Vince Ross and lived in Tustin, CA (Orange County), until 1964, when they moved to Fallbrook to raise their family in a rural, family oriented community.

Joy was active in her community and in her husband Vince’s real estate businesses in Fallbrook. Her most recent community involvement was as a director of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy and administrative volunteer for the Fallbrook Village Association.

Joy is survived by her husband Vince Ross; her children Trisha DaRos, Phillip Harper, Clint Harper, and stepson Mark Ross; and grandchildren Holly Harper, Diana Harper, Cassie DaRos and Janna DaRos.

A public memorial service and celebration will be held at the Palomares House and Park on Stage Coach Lane at 2 p.m. May 17, 2005.

The Ross, Harper and DaRos families have requested that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to the nonprofit Fallbrook Land Conservancy, PO Box 2701, Fallbrook, CA 92088, and the nonprofit Fallbrook Village Association, PO Box 508, Fallbrook, CA 92088.