"Cheryl Lynn Marie (Sanders) Ross, 46, of St. John St., died peacefully following a long struggle with scleroderma and lupus. Born in N. Adams May 6, 1960, she was the daughter of Raymond and Valerie (Armstrong) Sanders of Lockhart, TX. Cheryl spent her early years in Germany and Texas before moving to Chicopee. She later moved to Palmer where she has lived since 1988. A graduate of Del Valle High School in Texas, she also received her Licensed Practical Nursing degree from Austin Community College. She was a communicant of St. Thomas Church and a member of its Folk Group, the Daughters of Isabella and also served as a Eucharistic minister. She had also formerly served on the Parish Council and Finance Committee. She previously worked as the secretary at the St. Thomas Church rectory and also for Quabaug Corp. in N. Brookfield as an accounting clerk. Besides her parents, she will be deeply missed by her many beloved friends and family members. Among them, her husband of 26 years, Gary A. Ross, her three sons, Christopher M. and his wife Jennifer (Rabinsky) of Lockhart, TX, and David M. and Michael A. both of Palmer. She also leaves her three brothers Raymond J. and Richard J. Sanders of Lockhart, TX, and Ronald J. Sanders of Austin, TX, along with her sister Laurie Holland of Ingleside, TX, along with many extended family members and friends. Cheryl will be greatly missed in the community for her loving and generous spirit as she was a friend to all. Services will be Friday, January 12 at 9:15 a.m. from the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home, 1475 N. Main St., (Rte. 20) followed by a liturgy of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Thomas Church. Burial will be at a later date following cremation. Calling hours are Thursday, January 11 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. For those wishing, donations may be made in her memory to St. Thomas Church, Thorndike St., Palmer, 01069. "