Natalie M. Ross, Ph.D.

Whether in her native Motor City or her adopted Windy City, Natalie Ross remained a social worker at heart. In Chicago, she served at what was then called Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS) for nearly 25 years, ultimately becoming its Executive Director. Ross died on Aug. 16 at the age of 79.

“Natalie Ross served as the final executive director of JFCS before it and the Jewish Children’s Bureau merged to form JCFS Chicago,” recalled JCFS Chicago President and CEO Stacey Shor. “Natalie was the consummate social worker, ever-caring for the community she so passionately served. I am so grateful to have seen her in action, strongly advocating for the mission of JFCS, its staff, and clients. So much of the work we do today is built on her legacy.”

At her funeral, her former JFCS colleague Ruth Fruehauf, LCSW, said: “Natalie was a significant creator of programs, such as the AIDS Service and Support Program and the Jewish Healing Network. She was passionate about her clinical work at JFCS, [and] made certain older adults were included. Natalie had the unique gift of representing the agency to the community– she was JFCS’s best publicist.”

Ross’ father was a milkman and her mother, a homemaker. Always an outstanding student, Ross was valedictorian at the Henry Ford High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Michigan’s Wayne State University, and her MSW at the University of Michigan.

She moved to Chicago to earn her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. While devoted to her hometown, she came to love her new city for its architecture, art scene, folk clubs, and dining–especially The Wiener’s Circle and Cross-Rhodes.

According to her family, Ross will be remembered as wise, direct, loyal, funny, and curious. She never missed an opportunity to inspect some new art gallery, hear good folk music, check out an unusual clothing store, meet friends for a lively dinner and conversation, or see a movie– any movie.

Natalie Ross is survived by her loving and devoted partner of 38 years, Robyn Golden. The loving mother of Roxana (Tony) Kabalkin, she was the proud grandmother of Julia Maya and an affectionate aunt to her niece and nephews. Devoted daughter of the late Min nee Silver and Barney Ross, she was also predeceased by her siblings; she was the cherished sister of the late Arlene (the late Arthur) Zonder, and Martin (Irene) Ross. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southern Poverty Law Center or Chicago House. Arrangements were made by Chicago Jewish Funerals – Skokie Chapel, with interment at Memorial Park.