Florence Foote Ross, 92, died Nov. 8, 2002.

Born 1910 in Havre, Mont., she was captain of her grade school volleyball team and won the smile contest in high school. She graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane. At Cheney Normal School she was president of Monroe Hall and graduated in education as a teacher.

In 1930 she married Jerry Foote and they made their home in Spokane. Moving to Seattle a year later, they started the first food co-op in Seattle, became active in Democratic politics and in building the Wallingford Boys Club, and started Foote’s Fine Candies in 1952. Jerry was killed in an auto accident in 1958.

She married Howard Ross in 1959 and had 23 wonderful years as his wife before he passed away in 1982.

She was Business Woman of the Year for 1960 and a member of International Trade Fairs. She was President of Alpha Tau Omega Mothers Club at the University of Washington, a member of University Lions Club and Wallingford Commercial Club, and helped save Interlake Grade School from being demolished and kept it as Wallingford Center. She worked as a volunteer teacher for underprivileged children and also assisted Vice President Hubert Humphrey’s Youth Opportunity Campaign. She was very active in getting benefits for Korean War veterans through Sens. Henry Jackson and Warren Magnuson. She was a participant in University of Washington studies and adult research projects. Her body has been willed to the University of Washington for further understanding of memory and aging.

She has left her family and friends with many happy memories and heirlooms of her handiwork. She couldn’t change what happens, but she chose how to react in a positive, productive and independent manner. Florence has many friends who enjoyed her wonderful personality and stories of her interesting experiences.

She is survived by two sons, Frank Foote of Whidbey Island and Gary Foote, Seattle; a daughter-in-law, Bonnie Sullivan Foote; four grandchildren, Nancy Schaf, Karen Murphy and Frank Foote Jr., all of Whidbey Island, and Jerry K. Foote, Mukilteo; four stepgrandchildren, Cheryl DiNovi, Tim Sullivan, Jim Sullivan and Dan Sullivan, all of Seattle; 10 great-grandchildren; and 10 stepgreat-grandchildren. She will be missed and remembered by all.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Nov. 17 at Hoffner, Fisher & Harvey Chapel, 508 N. 36th St., Seattle. Remembrances may be made to Wallingford Boys and Girls Club, P.O. Box 31760, Seattle, WA 98103 or a charity of your choice.