Linda Ross earned a 10-year award at Warren Pediatrics, continuing her dedication to caring for children and families after retiring from the hospital's maternity department.

This article is part of the “Meet Your Neighbor Monday” series, highlighting the stories of individuals who make Warren County a special place to live. If you have a suggestion for a person to profile, email hcathcart-norris@timesobserver.com.

By HEATHER CATHCART-NORRIS

hcathcart-norris@timesobserver.com

Today, Linda Ross will officially retire after dedicating 50 years of her life to nursing – a day before celebrating her 70th birthday.

A Warren County native, Linda grew up in the area. She attended Youngsville High School before pursuing a career in nursing. Her journey began with two years at Warren County Vo-Tech, where she became a nursing assistant, and her teacher encouraged her to continue her education in nursing.

Ross completed a nursing degree at Jamestown Community College and specialized in obstetrics and pediatrics. Ross has played a crucial role in welcoming new life and supporting families through some of their most challenging moments.

“I just enjoyed it,” Linda reflects. “Every delivery is an amazing thing to be a part of.”

Throughout her career, Linda has provided comfort and guidance for countless families. One of her most significant contributions to the hospital was introducing grief processing to obstetrics, specifically for families experiencing stillbirths. After tragically losing her son, Jezidiah, in an accident at just 18 months old, Linda understood the importance of honoring and grieving a lost child. She helped establish the practice of creating memory boxes, complete with photos, footprints, and keepsakes, to provide families with something tangible to hold onto.

Photo submitted to the Times Observer
Linda Ross proudly graduated from nursing school in 1975, marking the beginning of her 50-year career dedicated to caring for mothers, babies, and families in Warren County.

Beyond her career, Linda has been deeply involved in the Warren community. A dedicated leader in both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, she has mentored young people and fostered a sense of service. She has also been an active member of First Lutheran Church, participating in the choir, playing handbells, and engaging in various church activities.

Ross is an avid outdoors enthusiast and the president of the Allegheny Outdoor Club. She enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and more. Ross is also active in bowling, water aerobics, and gardening. When asked about her perspective on Warren, she encourages residents to embrace the opportunities around them.

“I hear people frequently say there’s nothing to do in Warren, but there are so many activities – whether in the church, outdoors, or the community,” she says. “Be neighborly, reach out to someone nearby. Look around – it’s here.”

Linda and her husband, Earl, have also explored much of the world together. From long-distance bike rides–like Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., and Buffalo to Albany–to trips across Alaska, Hawaii, and Norway, they have embraced the beauty of travel. She has visited national parks, taken on the Rhine River, and even journeyed to see the Northern Lights. Next on her list? A riverboat cruise on the Mississippi.

While her career has seen many changes, including advancements in prenatal screenings and newborn care, Ross’s unwavering commitment to families and her community has remained constant. Her three children, Alisia in Chicago, Jared in Massachusetts, and Caleb in Warren, carry her spirit of adventure and service.

As Ross embraces retirement, she looks forward to continuing her travels, spending time outdoors, and embracing the next chapter of life. However, her legacy of care, compassion, and dedication to Warren will remain a lasting inspiration.