Josefina Ross, 92, recently of Pasadena, California passed away peacefully on July 22, 2022 after a brief illness. Josefina Calderon was born on September 17, 1929 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. She was raised on a farm with her 7 siblings, her mother Agapita (Tea as she was known), and her father Jose Calderon Torres. Her father passed away in 1939 and Tea, an uneducated but savvy and shrewd businessperson, eventually moved herself and her 8 children (Aida, Maria, Josefina, Jose, Juanita, Carmen, Angelo, and Victor) to the Bronx by the early 1950’s.

Working in retail at Macy's department store on 34th St in Manhattan, she met her future husband Charles Hayward Ross. They married in 1954, and had two sons, Robert and Michael. They took in Josefina's nephew, Eric Calderon after the death of her younger brother Angelo, close sister-in-law Eleanor, and nephew Karl. The 3 boys were raised together as brothers. All three sons thrived under the strong influence of Charles and Josefina. 

Besides being a great and devoted mother from the start and until the very end of her life, Josefina was many, many things: Community organizer, neighborhood watch and activist in the Bronx, and then in Atlantic City. A fashionista, she travelled to several parts of the world with friends. She enjoyed art, museums and the theatre. She was often the "party catalyst" turning dull gatherings into fun events for family and friends. And yes, she loved to dance! She was always there for her siblings, nieces, nephews and daughters-in-law and sisters-in-law when a shoulder, an attentive ear, counseling or advice was needed. She was the force behind Calderon family reunions -and was her happiest when, from distances far and wide, the family gathered together.

Twenty years had passed since her beloved Charles was gone, but she continued to travel, support and keep the family together, and of course, DANCE!

She leaves behind her sons Robert, Michael and Eric, her stepson Ed,  her brother Jose, sister Juanita, her grandchildren Lindsay, Andre, Nora, Drew, Phil and Savannah, and five great grandchildren Rionna, Ray Angelo, Gabriel, Nyla and Naomi.

Her loving and giving spirit will remain with us always.