Mary Katherine Ross McCollum

Born May 3, 1936 in Mount Hebron, Kentucky
Passed September 9, 2024 in Palm Bay, Florida

Mary Katherine Ross McCollum passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 9, 2024 at the William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay, Florida.

Mary was born on May 3, 1936 in Mount Hebron, Kentucky to the late Stanley James Ross and Matilda Lucas Ross and was the youngest of four children. Mary attended Stivers High School and The Ohio State University, and was a Buckeye cheerleader and a lifelong fan. During her college years she met and married her first husband, and was blessed with two sons John and Jim Lord. Mary retired from Harris Corporation in Palm Bay, Florida and took pride in her lengthy career.

It was at Harris where Mary met her late husband Roland McCollum. Roland and Mary spent many happy years together enjoying Walt Disney World, traveling, and spending time with their children and grandchildren. After Roland’s passing in June 2021, Mary enjoyed the love and support of her friends and the staff at Glenbrooke Senior Living in Palm Bay.

She never missed watching an Ohio State football game, a Kentucky basketball game, or a NY Yankees baseball game, and she was especially fond of the rivalry she shared with Roland when Ohio State played Michigan. Mary was a woman of strong faith and was a member of St. Marks United Methodist Church in Indialantic, Florida.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband Roland McCollum; son Dr. Jim Lord; sister Betty (Oscar) Bowman; brothers Marty (Lori) Ross, James Ross, and Kelly Combs and nieces Lynda Nieman and Shauna Ross. Mary’s ashes will be buried later this year in the Memorial Garden at St. Marks, next to the ashes of her loving husband Roland and her son Jim.

Mary leaves her son John (Beth) Lord; daughter-in-law Dr. Linda (Alan) Jaffe; granddaughters Elizabeth Lord, Anne Lord, Margaret Lord, Dr. Victoria (Francesco) Fiumara, Lauren Jaffe, and Montana Lord; nieces Wanda Zins and Brenda (Tom) Barnes; nephews Barry (Terilyn) Ross and Jim Ross; and many close friends at Glenbrooke.

A special “thank you” goes out to the caring staff of Hospice of Health First, William Childs Hospice House for their amazing care and compassion over her last months at home, and during the last week at their inpatient facility prior to her passing.