Lenore Ross of Provincetown passed away on February 1, 2013 at her home in Provincetown. Lenore was born in Philadelphia on October 30, 1924 to Sonya Eagle Milner and Isadore Ross. Her father died when she was three and her mother married Isaac Milner who raised her. Lenore attended school in Philadelphia and later studied interior design in New York City. In addition to her parents she is predeceased by her partner and spouse of 48 years Pat Shultz and her brother Alvin Ross.
In 1956, Lenore moved to Provincetown and opened a lobster salad lunch counter, later expanding into a Chinese restaurant called the Ho-Hum. After the success of the Ho-Hum, Lenore opened the Plain and Fancy on Commercial Street. Almost immediately the restaurant was a hit. It was at the Plain and Fancy in 1962 where Lenore met the love of her life, Pat Shultz. For thirteen years they ran the restaurant and in the early 70s, started a real estate company at a back table in the restaurant. In 1975, Alvin Ross, a prominent artist and teacher, passed away. His life and death had a profound effect on Lenore. She spent the remainder of her life caring for his work and insuring that it would forever have a home in Provincetown. Also in 1975, Lenore and Pat sold Plain and Fancy and officially opened Pat Shultz Real Estate. Pat and Lenore, along with Hazel Warner who had worked with them at Plain and Fancy, built a real estate office that set records for its sales and had a loyal following. Lenore retired from the office in the late 80s.
Lenore was an artist in her own right and painted in her wonderful home studio as well as on the streets of Provincetown. She was deeply involved with the Provincetown Art Association and Museum. Lenore and Pat were instrumental in the expansion of the museum and provided funding for the Alvin Ross wing. They were long time patrons of the museum and of artists in the community.
In addition to PAAM, Lenore and Pat helped to establish Outer Cape Health Services and remain supporters today. They were also active in Helping Our Women, Aids Support Group of Cape Cod and the UU Meeting House.
After 45 years of courtship, Lenore and Pat were married at their home surrounded by family and friends. At the time of the wedding when asked if there would be a honeymoon, Lenore responded that the past 45 years had been a honeymoon and a wonderful romance.
Beyond work, Lenore loved to garden, to pick mushrooms and go clamming and digging for mussels. She loved to travel, loved old movies and loved to entertain. She built a home for entertaining and for many years prepared meals for family and friends that people talked about for weeks.
She is survived by her cousin, Mark Goldberg, as well many cousins and friends.
Because of the adverse weather, burial will be at 11 a.m. on Friday February 8, 2013 at the Provincetown Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be scheduled in the Spring at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum in the Alvin Ross Wing. Memorial donations may be made to the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, 460 Commercial Street, Provincetown MA 02657 or Outer Cape Health Services, PO Box 1413, Wellfleet MA 02667.