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.
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