Marie A. Vross

Marie A. Rossi Vross, 99, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Friday March 6, 2026 at her residence surrounded by her loving family, leaving behind a lifetime of service, faith, and devotion to her family and community.

She was born November 5, 1926 in Niles the daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Merola) Rossi Sr.

Marie was a 1944 graduate of Niles McKinley High School. She later attended The Cleveland College of Mortuary Science, taking the train or driving each day with three other students from the area for two years. In 1947, she graduated from The Cleveland School of Mortuary Science, then served her apprenticeship, and received her funeral director’s license on January 13, 1948 and her embalmer’s license on November 30, 1949. She was the only woman in her graduating class.

She then followed in her father’s footsteps at The Joseph Rossi Funeral Home in Niles. For 79 years, Marie served families with compassion, dignity, and dedication. She considered it a privilege to help others during some of life’s most difficult moments and remained deeply committed to the community she loved.

On May 12, 1951, Marie married George J. Vross. Together they built a loving family and shared many happy years until his passing on June 9, 2016.

Marie was a member of Saint Pope John XXIII Parish –Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Niles, where she served as a Eucharistic minister, active in the Blessed Mother Society, as well as a longtime bingo and festival volunteer. She was also a member of The Ohio Funeral Directors Association and The National Funeral Directors Association. In 2019 Marie was inducted into The Niles McKinley Hall of Fame Alumni Association.

She enjoyed boating at Mosquito Lake on weekends, knitting, dancing, wintering in Florida, and traveling. She also organized bus trips with her mother to New York City each year for the annual Feast of San Gennaro. One of her favorite traditions was Sunday pasta with family.

Marie also had a well-known love for the casino, where she could happily spend hours playing the machines. It was something she always looked forward to.Above all else, Marie treasured her family. Nothing made her happier than having everyone together. She especially cherished spending time with her great- grandchildren, whose laughter and energy brought her endless joy. Known for her easygoing nature, her answer to many things in life was simply, “whatever.”

She will be deeply missed by her son, John and his wife Nancy (Nykula) Vross of Columbus; daughters Sharon Jarvis and her husband Jon of Cortland and Georgiana Naoum and her husband Paul Sunderlin of Boardman; brother Joseph F. Rossi Jr. and his wife Bonnie of Niles; and four grandchildren, Mathew Vross and his wife Shara, Alexa Matsui and her husband Rollin, Stephanie Adams and her husband Brett, and Jenelle Sanders and her husband Bishop. She also leaves behind seven great- grandchildren: Benjamin Vross; Lennox, Malia, and Kenji Matsui; Avery and Riley Adams; and Laina Sanders, and two nephews, Joseph F. Rossi III and Thomas J. Rossi Sr. and his wife Jane.

She is preceded in death by her brother James Rossi, her sister Mickelin Rossi, and her son-in-law Alexander Naoum.

The family would like to thank her many caregivers and Traditions Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.

Marie will be remembered for her quiet strength, kindness, and lifelong dedication to caring for others. In keeping with her wishes, those wishing to honor her memory are encouraged to perform a random act of kindness for someone in need. 

Friends may call from 4 to 6PM Sunday at The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles where prayers will be conducted at 5:30PM

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11AM Monday at Saint Pope John XXIII Parish-Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Campus.

Friends are asked to please meet directly at the church for mass the day of the funeral

Burial will be in Niles City Cemetery.

To share a memory, send a condolence, or make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital please visit Marie’s tribute page at www.josephrossifuneralhome.com

Arrangements are being handled by The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.