Kennedy Sutton Ross, 2, of Bellingham, Massachusetts was granted her angel wings on Thursday, January 19, 2017 following a recent diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor. Her final days were spent surrounded by outpouring love from all over the world. Although Kennedy’s life spanned only 2.5 years on Earth, those touched by her understood that Kennedy’s quality of existence far exceeds her quantity of time.
“Little Miss Adventure” loved to travel and enjoyed the diversity life had to offer. Kennedy had been to three foreign countries and countless states before her second birthday. She had a love of the New England coast and looked forward to summer weekends spent in Maine with her Nana, collecting sea glass, watching lobster boats haul in their daily catch and attending local music festivals. Kennedy’s first border crossing was shortly after her first birthday when her Papa Bill took her to the French-Canadian country side to enjoy local ice-cream, with sprinkles of course!
While visiting her large, immediate family in Trinidad, Kennedy soaked in the rhythm of the steel drums and the vibrant culture. Kennedy looked forward to her weekly Facetime calls with her Grandma, Margaret, from Trinidad, during which she liked to display her new found passion for dancing, singing and her ABC’s. Like her parents, Kennedy got a thrill with every passport stamp, earning her first during a family visit to Barbados, where she had her first solo toddler swim in the turquoise sea.
During frequent family visits to Pennsylvania, Kennedy loved to be in the kitchen with her Yinny, read stories and be goofy with her cousins, and explore trails with her Ronpa. Her great grandparents, Myrna and Jack encouraged her to sneak treats and “show off”, generating laughs and memories.
As a former working destination for her parents, Martha’s Vineyard provided unique opportunities for her adventurous spirit where she flew kites, searched for beach treasures and spotted frequent bi-plane flights.
Watercolors, singing, dancing, and playing with construction equipment and power tools consumed her days. She “lubbed” swimming and time spent with her neighbors and dear friends Jenavieve and Ashlyn. This past Christmas she only asked for “hockey” as a gift. Kennedy’s hockey idol, Auntie Abby, fulfilled this simple wish when the pair skated at the Lemueix Sports Complex, just two weeks before her diagnoses.
Kennedy was very affectionate and “loved to be loved”. Hugging and cuddling up with her Uncle Ryan from Trinidad and Uncle Aaron from Pennsylvania were comforting during their visits.
With Kennedy’s passing we remind others that her life is one to be celebrated. Through her teachings of life, we are able to create wonderful memories. Though we are uncertain when her illness was initiated, Kennedy never showed signs of weakness, she was resilient like a sunflower and always followed the sun. God planted her a bountiful sunflower field at which He called her Home when it was in full bloom. We will continue to celebrate her colorful soul and have sweet reminders of her innocence every time we see a sunflower, her favorite gift to give.
There will be a Memorial Service February 4, 2017 at 11am, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kittanning, PA, followed by a colorful CELEBRATION of Kennedy’s life at Kittanning Country Club. We encourage those who plan to attend to wear colorful attire to mirror Kennedy’s vibrant spirit.
Kennedy is survived by her parents Rodney and Kate (Steffey) Ross of Bellingham, MA; maternal great-grandparents Jack and Myrna (Barnhart) Steffey of Kittanning, PA; paternal grandparents Kenny and Margarat Ross of Mayaro, Trinidad; maternal grandparents Ron and Lynn (Arbuckle) Steffey of Kittanning, PA; William and Ellen (Greenbaum) Barker of Prospect Harbor, Maine; paternal uncles and aunts Steven Ross, Nigel Ross, Hasley and Alecia Ross, Kevin and Dixie-Ann Ross, Ryan Ross, Adrian and Debra Ross, Andre Ross, Renee Ross all of Trinidad, maternal uncles and aunts Aaron and Jessica (Welton) Steffey of Kittanning, PA; Craig and Daria (Damico) Palilla of Pittsburgh ,PA; Darin and Angela (McCullough) Palilla of Pittsburgh, PA; Ellie Barker of Dedham, Maine; as well as countless cousins, great uncles and aunts, friends and family from all over the world.
Proceeded in death by Kennedy’s great-grandparents Dr. James Kennedy Greenbaum and Mary Patricia (Shannon) Greenbaum.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you kindly plant a sunflower this Spring in loving memory of Kennedy Sutton Ross.