Helen Ross McDermott
March 10, 1931 — October 3, 2022
Helen Ross McDermott, 91, a resident of Fort Myers, FL since 2014, formerly of Carlsbad, CA, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, October 3, 2022 in Fort Myers. She was born March 10, 1931 in Bellmore, Long Island, NY to Raymond and Myrtle Ross, Sr., now deceased.
Mom obtained her Bachelor and Masters degrees from Adelphi University and Hofstra University, respectfully, where she met the love of her life, Bernard Charles McDermott. They married in Bellmore, New York in 1952.
Mom was a teacher, teaching math at the high school and college level. When her husband’s job moved them every three-to-five years, Helen would get certified to teach in that state, and then teach again. Helen was extremely active in her church, and the American Association of University Women (AAUW.) Throughout her life, she set up and taught ‘English as a Second Language’ classes. Even after she ‘retired’, she ran tutoring sessions for neighboring children, as well as Vacation Bible School. She loved to travel anywhere, anytime. She loved being on the water, no matter if she was on sailboat, a cruiser, or a pontoon.
She is survived by five loving children: Mark McDermott, (wife Sally, granddaughter Karrie); Bruce McDermott, (wife Margret, grandson Connor, DIL Nikita; Christine Berger (husband Steve, granddaughter Renee); Evelyn Castellana (husband Christopher, grandsons Ian, Paul , and Nicholas, DIL Veronica, and great-grandson Oliver aka “Ollie”); Laurie McDermott (husband Richard Poulin, grandsons Alexander and Jackson, and granddaughter Zoe.)
She is also survived by brother Raymond Harper Ross Jr. currently residing in Montrose, CO (wife Carol.)
Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bernard Charles McDermott in 2010.
No formal services are planned at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time.
Memorial Contributions in memory of Helen Ross McDermott are suggested to CypressGiving.org to assist those impacted by Hurricane Ian.
Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.
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