Longtime San Marino resident, dedicated mother and fiber artist Virginia Wilson Ross passed away Thursday May 5, 2023 in Rancho Mirage with her daughter Leslie Ross Shulem at her side. She was 92 years old.
Virginia was born in Los Angeles, raised in Hancock Park and graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1948.
In 1949 she enrolled at USC, pledging Alpha Chi Omega. There, she met Bill Ross and dropped out of college to marry him in May 1951. They moved to 2430 Cumberland Road in San Marino in 1957, with their sons Will, Brian and Darrell, and in 1960 Virginia gave birth to a daughter Leslie. All of her children attended KL Carver, Huntington Junior High and San Marino High. Virginia was active in the PTA, Bud Lyndon Swim School, and the San Marino Little League.
Virginia and Bill divorced in 1966 and two years later Virginia founded A Stitch In Time, a needlepoint shop on Huntington Drive in San Marino. Virginia created needlepoint designs and packages as well as advanced needlepoint and cross-stitch works for display in the store. She sold A Stitch In Time in the mid-70s but it is still going strong today. Alison Hodgkiss is the current owner of the shop, now located at 2465 Huntington Drive.
In the late 70s Virginia co-authored a book on Needlepoint Design titled “New Dimensions in Needlework.” She also returned to college, received her bachelor’s degree from Redlands and in 1985, earned a M.A. in Art from Cal State Northridge. She began creating a body of work in fiber art, just as it was emerging as a respected art form. Her works combine woven textiles with paint on large canvases, prioritizing beauty over utility.
A lifelong Republican and an excellent writer, Virginia later went to work writing documentation for Reagan’s Star Wars Project. With top secret clearance, Virginia worked for over 4 years on the Strategic Defense Initiative at Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Finally, after 41 years in San Marino, Virginia moved to Arroyo Grande, CA in 1998 to be closer to her son Darrell Ross and 4 grandchildren. Then, she focused entirely on the needs of her growing family by sewing, stitching, knitting and quilting. She created over 30 quilts and many intricate sweaters, jackets, dresses, scarves and hats for those she loved.
Virginia Ross leaves behind a significant body of work created over 80 years. She is survived by her children Will Ross (Peggy), Brian Ross (Ann), Darrell Ross, and Leslie Ross Shulem (Ron), as well as 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Her life will be commemorated at Hollywood Forever Cemetery and celebrated at her daughter’s home on July 1, 2023. The family will also honor her with a toast at A Stitch in Time at 5:30 pm the same day.
