Christopher and Ruth Ross

Christopher Alexander Ross of Shoreline, Wash., died on Saturday, May 24, at the age of 48, after a valiant struggle with pancreatic cancer.

The son of longtime Laguna Beach resident Kay Ross, Chris was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Ann Ross, who passed away three weeks earlier, on Tuesday, May 6, after a long battle with brain cancer.

Chris was born Oct. 24, 1959, in Knutsford, Cheshire, England, where his New Zealand parents had relocated due to a work-related transfer. After living in Japan, New Zealand, San Francisco, and Australia, he moved to Laguna Beach with his family in 1971 and subsequently graduated from Laguna Beach High School.

After high school Chris attended the University of Washington where he received his bachelor of art's degree in building construction in 1983 and met his future wife.

The couple married in 1986 and enjoyed a 22-year marriage.

Ruth was born April 19, 1961, in Seattle, Wash., and moved to Lincoln, Neb., in 1966 where she graduated from Lincoln Southeast. After high school Ruth returned to Seattle to attend the University of Washington where she received her bachelor of arts degree in public communication in 1984.

Chris and Ruth were both involved with the daily lives and activities of their two daughters.

Ruth also made time to work with Ryther Child Center League as well as volunteering for the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), a support organization for kids with celiac disease.

Since 1998, Ruth worked for North Western Financial Network.

Ruth loved entertaining friends and family, and was a passionate cook who would brag about her title as the "Salad Queen." She loved people, was upbeat about life and felt best when she was with others.

Ruth and Chris both loved all outdoor experiences and the various trips they took with their family and friends.

Chris was vice president of construction at Intracorp in Seattle, where he worked for the last decade.

For the last 18 months, cancer has dominated the Ross family. Ruth's appreciation for Swedish Hospital facilities deepened and she became an active supporter.

A visitation and rosary were held for Ruth on May 11 and 12 and for Chris on May 27 at Evergreen Washelli in Seattle. A funeral mass was held at the Holy Rosary Church in Edmonds, Wash., on May 13 for Ruth and on May 28 for Chris.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Carl E. Meitzen and Margaret Meitzen-Higgins.

She is survived by her loving daughters Emily and Clara; her brother Steven C. Meitzen of Tampa Fla.; 13 nieces and nephews; and many other family throughout the country.

Chris was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Ann Ross and his father Keith Alexander Ross. He is also survived by his daughters; his mother Kay Ross of Laguna Beach; his sister Katie Singer of Laguna Beach; his two brothers, Nicholas of Laguna Beach and Matthew of Starkville, Miss.; 13 nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends in Canada and New Zealand.

Ruth asked that any remembrance be made to the Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment at the Swedish Medical Center Foundation, 747 Broadway, Seattle, Wash., 98122.

It was Chris's wish that remembrances be made to the Kaplan Research Fund at the Swedish Medical Center Foundation (same address as above); or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave, Ste 7000, El Segundo, Calif., 90245.