Born: October 28, 1928 URS: December 10th, 2025
Mary June Strain Ross was born October 28, 1928 in Greencastle, Indiana of the late James Franklin Strain and Gladys Kersey Ellen Strain. She died of lung cancer in her home in New Lebanon on December 10, 2025.
She is survived by her brother Edwin Helt Strain and her children and their families, Dorothy Ross & Charles Stewart, Eric Ross, Daniel and Marina Ross and their children Caleb, Mattew & Zachary, and Alan Ross & Michell Dossett. June grew up on a dairy and apple farm during the Great Depression. She left for college at age 16 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
June married Andrew Sharp Ross on March 18, 1951. She qualified for a private pilot’s license. She raised five children, Dorothy. Eric, Daniel, Marcia and Alan. She earned a Master’s degree in Education and taught preschool through 2nd grade for 11 years in the Beacon City School District, Beacon, NY and the Mountain Road School, New Lebanon, NY.
June was a member of the Sufi Order International. She was a graduate of a four year program of Suluk Academy and was a Golden Herald of the Knighthood of Purity of the Inayati Order. She corresponded with over 100 prisoners, as well as with family and friends. She loved music, and sang and played the piano, autoharp, ukelele and accordion. She traveled to all 50 states and to several countries, including Ireland and India. In her later years she walked 10,000 steps a day with her walker at home. She was actively involved with the Stephentown Federated Church and the New Lebanon Book Club until her final illness. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and family.
I was priveleged to get to know her the last couple years by cleaning her house for her.Every time I came I was greeted with a smile and stayed out of her way while she got her steps in . amazing lady.
My prayers of comfort to all her family and friends.
June has been a beautiful friend of mine and fellow companion on the path for over thirty years.
She has been so supportive of the Abode and the Inayatiyya in many ways through donations and her kind presence in our community and her dedication to daily prayers. She donated the new fence at the herb garden while in Suluk among other generous gifts.
June was of service to the Kinship in establishing ongoing communication with prisoners. She was a role model for me and many of us. And she was really funny too. I will miss her earthly presence in our community and trust that her light will continue to guide us.
Rest in beauty & peace
Love,
Gayatri
I knew June and Andy many years ago. They were always busy helping in some way. June had a quiet warmth that was always welcoming. I will never forget her radiant smile.
June was a dear friend to me from age 12 when I spent six weeks on her family’s farm. Although in recent years we have lived too far apart to see one another, we both relished our annual birthday letters and pictures. I loved June and all her siblings and will miss her. Thanks to Dorothy and Eric for their loving care during her last weeks with us.
An article “Andrew and June Ross – Abode Lovers” by Rabia Longworth in the Abode newsletter from 1993 said, “After spending his first night in the Alim ‘dormitory’, [Andrew] awoke covered by snow which had drifted through the roof overnight….June first came on a Thanksgiving weekend in 1977 with a mission. She helped the Abode by refurbishing and renting a permanent room in Vakil so she wouldn’t have to sleep in the snow on weekends.”
June was a dear friend and model of how to be connected to spiritual guidance and live a practical life as well. She participated in Ziraat, Healing work, Kinship through many years with the Prison Book Activity, The Knighthood of Purity – receiving her sash with the first group, Music, Universal Worship and The esoteric school through Suluk academy. Although involved at the Abode for many years she participated fully in the local community and cultivated a wide circle of friends.
June connected with people in a deeply caring way. Her physical vitality, mental focus, and strong open heart carried her into her 9th decade! I’m grateful for her presence in the lives of all of us who got to cross paths with such a stalwart yet tender Friend