Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Jean was born in Washington, D.C. to Joseph and Cecile Gill, and grew up near Capitol Hill. She and her 4 siblings played in the upper catwalks of the U.S. Capitol rotunda, and from their home in 1935, watched the construction of the U.S. Supreme Court Building.

During World War II, Jean bought a dance studio, where she taught tap, ballet, swing, and international dances to hundreds of students. As a dancer with the USO, she volunteered to hand out burgers and sodas to the GI's returning from combat in Europe. In 1945, Private Bill Gross lined up day after day to get a free Pepsi from one gregarious redhead, and they became an item for the next 77 years.  Together, they raised 5 children and lived half of their married years in Northern Virginia and the last half in Novato, California.

Jean was a talker.  She enjoyed people and was interested in them. At Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church, Jean co-created the Helping Hands group, taught CCD, and served in all capacities at Sunday Masses. She was a gifted writer, a prolific seamstress, a maker of rosaries, and a daily Communicant. 

Jean is preceded in death by her husband Bill, her daughter Mary Theresa, daughter Sharon Spry, and Son-in-law, Lawrence Kight. She leaves 4 children, Jan (Pat) McNerney, Gail (Ed Porto) Yeager, Susan Kight and John Gross, as well as Son-in-law, Greg Spry, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Jean will be honored with a burial next to Bill at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. All attending must arrive at the Administration Building by 12:15 p.m. with their own transportation.

Jean's family would like to thank Green Acres Manor home, from the bottom of our hearts, for their gentle and loving care of our dear mother during the last years of her life.

Jean Marie Gross

Jean Marie Gross

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