Helen Ross McDermott
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.
Helen and Bernie were our next door neighbors in Carlsbad. Shortly after we moved into our house in 1978, Helen and Bernie invited us to have dinner with them. They were friendly, gracious and kind and continued to be so for all of the years we were neighbors. Their two youngest children are the same ages as our children, and we enjoyed watching our teens grow into adulthood and pursue their careers as well. I fondly remember Helen and Bernie generously sharing their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends on a boat ride, complete with a full-course meal, around San Diego Harbor. Helen was a remarkable person who managed a schedule of family, work, church, social groups, and still had time for tutoring students. She also found time for her yard projects and made apricot jam from the fruit of her tree. We are saddened to learn about Helen’s passing. It seems that a chapter of time with friends on Beach Bluff is now a good memory. Our heartfelt condolences to all of Helen’s family.
Helen and Bernie are truly missed. We lived across the street from them during our 36 years on Beach Bluff Road. We enjoyed helping each other when every needed or just because. Helen was especially kind to our daughter Carrie who has some learning disabilities. Helen would kindly pick her up from work on the few times we were not able to. This was fine with Carrie as she LOVED Helen’s red Mustang. Sharing and Caring in everything Helen and Bernie did and Bernie was always good for a story. A wonderful neighbors and friends. Love to the family – Denise, John and Carrie Euckert