Having moved to Rosary Care Center in Sylvania on December 28, Sister Mary Ross had only one thing left to do during her life of dedication to God: to give thanks and praise. With this gift—and to her every day was a gift–she entered into “God’s joyful surprise” returning her life of 93 years back to God on March 3, 2024.
Born Norma Jean, she was the second oldest of seven girls and four boys born to Ross and Hattie (Stock) Burgard. Sister attended St. Joseph School in Erie, Michigan, and Central Catholic in Toledo. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1948 and began teaching one year later at Gesu School, Toledo. For the next 44 years Sister Ross taught grades one through four at Gesu, St. Michael, Ladyfield, St. Ann, St. Martin de Porres (Toledo), St. Joseph (Maumee), St. Michael Ridge (Defiance), Sacred Heart (Bethlehem), St. Mary (Leipsic), St. Joseph (Monroeville), St. Augustine (Napoleon), St. John (Delphos), and St. Paul (Norwalk).
Throughout her 72 years of religious life, Sister witnessed to God’s goodness and provident care. This was especially evident when Sister taught small groups at Mary Immaculate School (Toledo) from 1994-2009. Five years of volunteer library work at St. Joseph School in Erie, Michigan, followed her teaching career. In December 2015 Sister moved to the Sisters of Notre Dame Center in Whitehouse where she engaged in community service for eight years, especially giving joy to others through her drawings of deer and ducks, “happy grams,” visits, and letter writing that kept the Burgard family together.
Preceding her in death are her parents, brother Martin, and sisters Madeline Ausmus, Florence Hilkens, Sister Mary Dale, and Sister Mary Marc. She is survived by three brothers Daniel, David, and Dale and two sisters Sister Mary Kent and Susan Marie Darmofal.
A gentle, patient, caring, cheerful person, Sister Ross strengthened her inner life with prayer. Wherever she was, she looked upon the place and people as “my mission.” May she spend her heaven making us her mission, interceding for us.
Visitation will be at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center, 5900 Davis Road, Whitehouse, OH on Saturday, March 9. Welcome prayer and sharing of memories will begin at 9:00 with visitation until the eulogy at 10:15. The funeral liturgy will be at 10:30. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, 5725 Hill Avenue, Toledo at 9:30 on Monday, March 11. Tributes may be made to the Sisters of Notre Dame at 1656 Henthorn Drive, Suite 200, Maumee, OH 43537. Arrangements are entrusted to the Urbanski Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, 5055 Secor Road, Toledo.
