Anita Grace Ross, age 85, longtime resident of New Egypt, passed away at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, VA on May 5, 2024. She has resided with her youngest daughter Linda Grace Phelps and son-in-law James Phelps III since 2016. She was born at St. John’s Hospital Long Island City in Queens, NY to the late Frank Elmer and Mildred Todd Galloway. She lived in Queens Village New York from 1939 - 1942 and 1944 - 1948, Elmont, New York (Long Island) from 1942 - 1944, and Richmond Hill, New York from 1948 - 1956 where she graduated from high school at Richmond Hill High School. She moved with her family when she was 17 years old to New Egypt in June of 1956. Anita worked as a typist for Bell Telephone Company in Trenton, NJ from 1956 - 1958 as a clerk, The American National Red Cross at McGuire Air Force Base, NJ from 1958 to 1960 as a Clerk/Stenographer, Radio Corporation of America Astro-Electronics Division(RCA/AED) in Princeton, NJ as a Secretary/Stenographer to Mr. Northup with the highest security clearance, and Silver, Renzi and Associates in Trenton, NJ as a legal transcriptionist. Anita was in the Girl Scouts in Richmond Hill from 1947 - 1949. She was the secretary / treasurer of Girls Friendly Society from 1951 - 1952. Anita belonged to the Youth Fellowship Resurrection Episcopal Church in Kew Gardens, NY in the church choir and was the President, Secretary, and Treasurer from 1951 - 1956. After moving to New Egypt, she became a member of 1st Presby. Church in New Egypt and belonged to the choir and was the Assist. Supervisor for the Youth Fellowship from 1957 to 1959. Anita was a valuable member of N.J. Bell Tel. Bowling league, and White Horse Bowling League in the 1950’s. She even once bowled a perfect game while in a bowling league. She was a member of the Trustees of the New Egypt Library for decades and a member of the New Egypt Historical Society. Anita was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, step-grandmother and friend that will be deeply missed. Anita was predeceased by her beloved husband, Merlin N. “Bud” Ross, whom she married on November 26, 1959, at the Church of Assumption, in New Egypt by Reverend Francis J. Porazzo, in front of family and friends with Ronald Brooks and Kay Horner the official witnesses. Anit was also predeceased by her parents, Frank Elmer and Mildred “Mim” (nee Todd) Galloway; brother, Peter T. Galloway; Frank T. Galloway, David B. Galloway, and her grandson, Paul Edward Allen Neumann. She leaves behind her three children, daughter Linda G. Phelps and husband James L. Phelps III (and grandchildren James L. Phelps IV, Dustin L. Phelps, and Joseph E. Phelps), Theresa “Terri” J. Pata, (and grandchildren Lisa R. Cox, and Jamie Pata), and Merlin “Ned” E. Ross (and grandchildren Jacob Ross and Jordan Ross) and step-grandchildren, great grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Thursday, June 6, 2024 from 6 PM to 8 PM at Tilghman Funeral Home located at 52 Main Street, New Egypt, NJ 08533. Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 11 AM at Church of the Assumption St. Isidore the Farmer Parish located at 28 Monmouth Road Wrightstown, NJ 08562, with inurnment to follow at Zion Cemetery located at on Lakewood Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533.