Doreen Faye Ross

Doreen Faye Ross (nee Delancy)

June 27, 1955 - September 27, 2026

Doreen was born and raised in Port Orchard, Washington on the Kitsap Peninsula. From the very beginning she developed deep and lasting friendships, maintaining lifetime relationships with friends she met as early as kindergarten. She graduated from South Kitsap High School 1973 and went on to earn a Bachelor's of Business Degree in 1977 at what was then Central Washington State College.

After college, she moved to Kent and went to work for the Federal Government in downtown Seattle. Her government career included positions with GSA, EPA, and the Forest Service where she worked primarily in Human Resources helping people with benefits, payroll and other related issues. Again, she maintained lifetime friendships with many people from each of those agencies.

In 1980, she spotted a young man on the metro bus while riding to work. When she got there, she told a friend she had spotted someone new on the bus and she was going to meet him. It didn't take long. On the trip home from work he was there again sitting quietly reading a book. There were plenty of vacant seats, but that didn't stop her from asking if the seat next to him was taken. When he didn't put down the book to talk with her she snatched it from his hand and asked what he was reading. That young man was Mark Ross. Their 45 year marriage began in June of 1981.

Doreen retired from the Federal Government early when they relocated multiple times in support of Mark's career. They spent time in Dallas Texas, Winnipeg Manitoba, and Melbourne Australia. In social situations, Doreen would introduce herself as "the trailing spouse", but anyone who knew her knew she was much more than that. First and foremost, she was a fantastic partner for her husband, Mark. Every place she lived she did volunteer work in the community. She tended to animals at local shelters, packed Christmas boxes for Samaritan's Purse and sewed Christmas stockings for foster children. And yes, she developed deep and lasting friendships in each of the communities they lived.

Doreen returned to Port Orchard in 2015 after Mark's retirement. They moved into a house that they designed and built on a lot that had been in Doreen's family for decades. The house showed off Doreen's renowned design and decorating skills. Since retirement, she was able to take several trips to Europe and most recently a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. They also began to winter in Phoenix, where yes, she has many friends.

She was kind and generous, always putting the needs of others in front of her own. She could be a bit shy in larger groups, but could be the life of the party with smaller groups or friends and family. Doreen loved her dogs. She owned both American and French Brittany's, a total of five. She loved to cuddle with them and spoiled them terribly.

Doreen was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Doris Delancy. She is survived by her husband Mark, sister Adele Bainter and numerous nieces and nephews who will all miss her dearly.

A memorial service for Doreen will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Port Orchard on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 2:00pm. A reception at the church will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers please direct donations to the Kitsap Humane Society or the West Sound Wildlife Shelter.