Alyssa "Lisa" Mary
Ross Eppich
1959-2020
On Friday May 15th, 2020, at 6:20pm, Alyssa “Lisa” Mary Ross Eppich, age 61, passed away surrounded by loved ones in Portland, Maine. She awoke and opened her eyes, with clear awareness, one last time to her daughter Sarah and husband Fred as they held her, showering her with their heartbroken love. Further support at her side included her Aunt Judy Weber and youngest brother Justin Ross.
A month previous, she’d been admitted to Mercy Hospital, then transferred to Maine Medical Center for heart surgery. Her passing followed complications in recovery from the initial procedure which led to further surgeries. Throughout her entire ordeal, from the moment she was brought to the ER by her husband, her immediate family struggled with the fact that they had to remain away from her side due to COVID 19. Following the requirement of quarantine, all support and attempts by them to reach out for some semblance of comfort to her were through voice and video calls facilitated by her loving Doctors and Nurses.
Memorial Services
Due to the current state of affairs regarding COVID-19, services for Alyssa will take place in Spring/Summer 2021.
It is our hope that by this time next year, those who wish to attend a service honoring her memory will be able to do so without the added stress of large gatherings during this pandemic.
Alyssa's immediate family have felt a memorial service at a sooner date would be unsafe. Current plans for two services include:
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Cooperstown, New York
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Coast of Maine
Lisa was born on January 16th, 1959 to James Bernard Ross Sr. and Barbara Mary (Maczko) Ross in Passaic, NJ. She is predeceased by both her parents.
She married Frederick Stephen Eppich on July 2nd, 1989. A year later, she gave birth to her daughter, Sarah Dempsey Eppich on April 11th, 1990.
Alyssa is survived by her husband, Fred; daughter, Sarah; step-son Carl, daughter-in-law, Emily; grandchildren, Ninon and Ansel; her Aunt and Uncle, Judy and Bill Weber; brothers, Jonathan, Duffy, Sam and Justin; sister-in-law Betsy; nephews Angus and Bert; Suzanne Stack; nephews, Colin and McGill; niece, Lucille Ross. Branches of extended family include her Uncle, John Maczko; cousins Lori, Kim, Cheryl, Rob, Ryan and their families.
Lisa's oldest brother, Jimmy, passed away in August of 2020. They were the oldest of the Ross children and shared a special connection throughout their lives.
Alyssa loved teaching, stepping into the Education field in the late 1990s. She began work as a Special Ed. Tech in Hampstead NH and continued as a Substitute for the South Portland School system, upon moving to Maine. Following her many years of work in Education, she retired and began volunteering weekly at the South Portland Historical Society's Museum at Bug Light Park. Her work there brought her great joy, true happiness.
For the last sixteen years, Maine has been Alyssa's home with her husband, Fred.
"We realized a lifelong dream for each of us when we moved to Maine." - Alyssa, 2009
Since January of 2014, Alyssa and Fred have lived in Old Orchard Beach, in their small Cottage. Her piece of paradise. She kept in touch with family and friends around the world from her little home, with her two cats, Krieger and Jezebel Jade by her side.
She was happy.
Her husband and daughter were both blessed with the precious gift of her life. And her love.
She is loved. And she will forever be missed. So very deeply.
