She served as the president/CEO of the Fairfield County Community Foundation from 1996 to 2011, focusing on improving public schools, increasing affordable housing, improving the lives of low-income working women and children and building the capacity of area nonprofit organizations. During her tenure, the foundation's assets grew from $10 million to over $150 million and community grants totaled more than $125 million.
Before that, she served as CEO of the United Way of Southern Vermont and on the boards of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, the Connecticut Council for the Advancement of 21st Century Skills and Careers, the Vermont and Connecticut Planned Parenthood affiliates, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Vermont's largest mental health center.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ross spent the past 45 years living in Putney and Westminster West, Vt., and Wilton and Easton. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and her master's degree from Boston University.
She is survived by her husband, Charles MacCormack, president emeritus of Save the Children; her sons Cameron and Fraser; and her granddaughter Harper.
Services will be at the First Church of Christ, Congregational at 25 Cross Highway in Redding Center, on Saturday, June 3, from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by a reception at the Church Hall from 12:15 to 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fairfield County Community Foundation's Fund for Great Leadership, Save the Children's Ainsley Ross-MacCormack Fund or Planned Parenthood of Southern New England.
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