Leigh Sheryl Ross
1947-2021
 
Leigh Sheryl Ross, of Bradley Beach, NJ, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2021. She was born in Englewood, NJ to Dorothy and George Osterbye and grew up in Maywood. She attended Bogota High School and graduated in 1965. After working and becoming proficient in saltwater fish care and sales, she married Stephen Ross, her best friend for life. They lived in Bogota for several years before moving to Bradley Beach in 1978 where they raised their 4 children.
Leigh was a lover of cats and beyond happy to be known as the "crazy cat lady," not only did she adopt her block's lost and lonely cats, but she was also known to honorarily "adopt" any friends of her children that may have been in need. Leigh took in countless children and teens that needed a place to stay and someone to care for them, no questions asked. She did anything she could do to provide a safe place for someone who needed it. There are so many who will read this and fondly remember Leigh as their "second" mother.
For several years, she was an avid member of the Ocean Grove theater community and helped run the youth summer performing arts musicals. She even co-wrote an original musical called Christmas on Silver Pond, which is still performed in local community theaters.
To say Leigh was an artist is an understatement. Anything from cheeseburger birthday cakes to handmade dolls, she was a master at any craft she put her mind to, or as she put it best "I can do anything but a cartwheel." She exceled in making handmade silver jewelry, but predominantly she was a pioneer in the field of Polymer Clay. Leigh operated Polymer Clay Central for 25 years, one of the first and most popular polymer clay websites in the world. She spent years attending polymer clay retreats, teaching seminars, and was featured in several polymer clay instruction books. Just check out the Polymer Clay Central Facebook page to read the many kind words of all the people around the world she touched with her artistry, generosity, and kindness.
Leigh is survived by her husband, Stephen Ross, her four children Jarrod Ross, Hayley Adams, Jeremy Ross (Christina Ross), and Jiliah Potts (Gene Potts) and her 11 grandchildren: Taylor, Connor, Ashe, Garrick, Jocelyn, Alexis, Evan, Haley, Kayla, Sarah, and Jaidyn.
In lieu of mourning her loss, we will be celebrating her life. Details of the celebration will be posted on her Facebook page and her families' social media pages, when available. She will be greatly missed and those that knew and loved her will carry her in their hearts forever.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Leigh Sheryl Ross, please visit our Tribute Store or plant a tree.
Display:
By Year Deceased Alphabetically BHS '65er Photo


 
BHS '65ERS
Gerald Robert Ahearn (Deceased 2007)  
Dennis Charles Arakelian (Deceased 2009)  
Robert Arbasetti (Deceased 2023)  
Edwin W. Bayne (Deceased 2014)  
Charles David Bernstein (Deceased 1976)  
Richard P. Bertie (Deceased 2010)  
Michael Bifulco (Deceased 2017)  
John Blackgrove (Deceased 2010)  
Jacqueline Jean Carlton (Deceased 1996)
Dante John Colabella, Jr. (Deceased 1994)  
Ellen Marie Coski (Zynczenko) (Deceased 2002)  
Noreen Dorothy Costello (Bulwin) (Deceased 2001)  
Joan Theresa Craig (Deceased 1975)  
Donna Maxine Crothers (Bull) (Deceased 2023)  
Thomas John Davis (Deceased 2008)  
Diane Daw (Ciesla) (Deceased 2012)  
Nicholas Joseph DeGiglio (Deceased 2010)  
Sally Ann Dickson (Sorbello) (Deceased 2024)  
Brian David Farley (Deceased 2016)  
Michel M. Ferellec (Deceased 2006)
Charles Ferrara (Deceased 2014)  
Ronald Ferretti (Deceased 1964)  
Joyce M. Finlayson (Hansen) (Deceased 2015)  
Mary Elizabeth Gamble (Deceased 2018)  
Michael Grady (Deceased 1997)  
Leonard Joseph Henkel III (Deceased 2015)  
David Hoffman (Deceased 2009)  
Maureen A. Hoffman (Hutnick) (Deceased 2017)  
Ronald Hulse (Deceased 2014)  
Wayne Thomas Joseph (Deceased 1997)  
Monika Elisabeth Klotz (Stegle) (Deceased 2014)  
David Henry Knight (Deceased 1983)
Steven Knight (Deceased 2002)
Arthur William Koch (Deceased 2024)  
Andrew Joseph Kopac (Deceased 2020)  
Robert Martin Larsen (Deceased 2012)  
John Thomas Lewer (Deceased 2015)  
Janice Arline Martin (Deceased 2019)  
Joseph A. McNally (Deceased 1989)
Dennis Charles Moore (Deceased 2005)  
Joseph Moylan (Deceased 1979)
Arlene Mary Murphy (Deceased 1999)
Dennis Nasto (Deceased 2009)  
Maureen O'Rourke (Deceased 1988)
Leigh Sheryl Osterbye (Ross) (Deceased 2021)  
Kathleen Bogert Owens (Beekman) (Deceased 2015)  
Thomas P. Pfaff (Deceased 2019)  
George Joseph Potter (Deceased 2005)  
Roy Allen Rabbino (Deceased 1989)
Dennis Michael Redmond (Deceased 2022)
Michael Anthony Rinaldi (Deceased 2008)  
Monica Anne Rose (Deceased 2003)
Patrick Rowland (Deceased 2023)  
Bruce Kenneth Rudolph (Deceased 2022)  
Bruce Schneider (Deceased 2017)  
Ronald Sonheim (Deceased 2016)  
Joseph Ludian Stead (Deceased 1974)  
Robert L. Stead (Deceased 2022)  
Louise Tamburro (Ponce) (Deceased 2016)  
Lee Templin (Deceased Year Unknown)
Patricia J. Venator (Deceased 2021)  
John Stuard Vietoris (Deceased 1991)
Peter F. Wall (Deceased 2016)  
Mary Ann Walluck (Deceased 2022)  
Wilbur Howell Weaver (Deceased 2016)  
David P. West (Deceased 2018)  
 
GUESTS
Buddy Ajalat (Music) (Deceased 2017)  
Peter Altieri (Phys. Ed. ) (Deceased 2010)
Chester Bodkin (Senior Math, Algebra Ii) (Deceased Year Unknown)  
Suzanne Bridenburg (Phys. Ed. ) (Deceased 2012)  
Miriam Brodman (English) (Deceased 2009)
Lester Brown (Art) (Deceased 2021)  
Dominick Del Guiduice (Deceased 2008)  
Vincent Dente (Deceased 1994)  
Marion Dix (JBT, Business Math, Economics) (Deceased 2006)  
Joseph Feigel (Law, Sales, Driver Ed. ) (Deceased 1986)  
David Friedman (Public Speaking) (Deceased 2008)  
George Hance (Bookeeping, Economics) (Deceased 2002)
William Hempstead (Geometry. Algebra Ii) (Deceased 1977)  
Kenneth Hilfman (Us History Ii) (Deceased 2013)  
Madeline Jameson (Steno, Secretarial Training) (Deceased 2015)  
David Kaplowitz (Biology I, College Chemistry) (Deceased 1987)
Margaret Lee (English Iii) (Deceased 2013)  
Anita Malugani (French II, III, Iv) (Deceased 2000)  
Philip Matoska (History I, Ii)) (Deceased 2004)  
Robert Pollison (Principal) (Deceased 1979)  
Matthew Recchia (College Chemistry) (Deceased 1986)  
Eugene Reutter (Deceased 1989)  
Lillian Sachtleben (Guidance) (Deceased 1977)
Thomas Santiso (Geometry, Algebra I) (Deceased 2002)
Michael Sparta (Deceased Year Unknown)  
John Speary (Us History I) (Deceased 2003)  
Robert Sturges (Driver Ed. ) (Deceased 2003)  
Sheila VerNooy (General English) (Deceased 1977)  
Raymond Waters Sr. (Assistant Principal) (Deceased 1996)  
Lance Weber (Deceased 1997)  

If you are aware of a BHS '65er who should be added to this page please let us know.



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