Mary Jo Ross Obituary

Mary Josephine Polhemus Ross “Mary Jo”, 91, of Charleston, SC, entered into eternal rest Wednesday, May 29, 2024. 

Friends are invited to a wake to honor and celebrate Mary Jo’s life between 1:00 and 3:00 PM Saturday, June 1, 2024 at James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30 AM Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at Nativity Catholic Church, 1061 Folly Road. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery, 60 Huguenin Avenue. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. 

Mary Jo was born in Houston, Texas on March 10, 1933. She was the first child of John Burns Polhemus and Ann McCormick Sherlock Polhemus. After graduating from Bishop England High School and St. Francis Nursing School, she became a military wife and mother of six. When she returned home to Charleston, she served as an orthopedic nurse at Bon Secour St. Francis Hospital for 25 years. She passed on her knowledge by mentoring fellow nurses and medical students throughout her career and in her retirement.

She led a happy and full life, surrounded by the things she loved most – the simple things. Whether it was a hand-picked bundle of weeds or a big bouquet – she enjoyed all flowers just the same. An episode of Bonanza, a simple dessert, or just a phone call could make her day. Every hallmark card, hand-crocheted baby blanket, Christmas ornament, and pack of socks or underwear she shared were given with the love, affection, and consideration only a mother can give. 

A true matriarch, Mary Jo exercised her love for people as a caretaker to so many in all facets of her life. She took her greatest pride in wearing the titles of mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, but her definition of family has never been bound by blood. She extended the same deep and nurturing love to every stranger, friend, and loved one who crossed her path. She never forgot a soul who was welcomed into her home (even that significant other you hoped she might forget about). A full home was a happy home – a loud and chaotic life left her cup full and overflowing. 

She loved the Lord above all and found fulfillment in doing the works of her faith. She was an active member of the Church and the Nativity Ladies Guild. She loved supporting seminarians and newly ordained priests. The dedication and love she held for her Catholic faith was recognized by many – she even held the title of the Charleston Deanery’s Catholic Woman of the Year. 

“You set a table before me in front of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days.” (Psalms 23:5-6)

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her father, Burns; her mother, Ann; her sister, Ann; and her son, Roy. She is survived by her children, John, Roy’s wife Anne, Lizann, George (Robin), Clare (Joe), and Paula (Gary); her niece, Ellen, and her nephew, Ed (Sharon); her nineteen grand-children, Timothy (Melissa), Mary, Laura (Trixie), Willy (Brittany), Betty Ann, Marina (Austin), Trevor (Nicole), Josh, Lauren (Grayson), Erin, Joseph, Riley, Kevin, and Matthew; her six great-grandchildren, Dustin, Allyson, Allison, Alena, Crystal, and Arthur; and her “family of the heart,” Marcia, Song (Ashley), Stella, Atlas, Forest, Rick, Mark and many more.