Mary Barrett Ross McCormick

Mary Barrett Ross McCormick, age 81, most recently of Columbus, Ohio, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Mary was born on May 30, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Thomas Francis Ross and Margaret Bernice Barrett Ross. Throughout her life, Mary was known for her kindness, strength, humor, generosity, and deep faith.

Creative and thoughtful by nature, Mary was a poet who found beauty in words, reflection, and prayer. Professionally, she was a skilled accountant—precise, reliable, and deeply attentive to detail—qualities that carried through all aspects of her life. Her gifts were always offered in service to others, and generosity was a cornerstone of who she was.

Mary had a special love for the outdoors. She found joy hiking and kayaking, and she treasured summers spent at the lake in Minnesota, where family gathered and memories were made. She touched countless lives through her steadfast support of seminarians in Uganda, helping to support more than 43 men on their journey to the priesthood—a quiet but extraordinary legacy of faith and commitment to the Church.

Her Catholic faith was central to her life. Mary was deeply devoted to her parish community at Our Lady of Joy Catholic Church in Cave Creek, Arizona, where she found friendship, spiritual nourishment, and purpose. She was also an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, serving the poor and vulnerable, particularly within Southern Arizona’s Native American reservations. She believed deeply in meeting others with dignity, compassion, and practical help.

Mary was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who always put others first. Her grandchildren remember her most fondly for the joyful summers spent together at the cabin—and for her dependable insistence on a proper and reliable “bedtime.”

She is survived by her daughters Jennifer Hofherr (Ed) and Anne Kostrzewski (Darwin); her grandchildren Kaitlin Kostrzewski, Jillian Tanner (Brayden), Ella Kostrzewski, Eddie Hofherr, Anne Marie Hofherr, and August Hofherr; her great‑grandchildren John Ross Tanner and Evelyn Tanner; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.. She was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband Charles Michael McCormick; and her dear sister Susan Bingold.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on May 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Catharine of Siena Church in Bexley, Ohio. Lunch will follow Mass.  Details will be shared at Mass  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Emmaus Centre Katikamu, Uganda, a Catholic ministry dedicated to evangelization, formation, and renewal of faith:  https://donorbox.org/emmaus-centre-contributions

Mary will be deeply missed and forever loved.

“He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
— Psalm 91:11