CAMDEN – Grace Terry Gross, 97, of Camden, died August 19, 2020, at Quarry Hill in Camden. Grace was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, on November 15, 1922, the daughter of Ernest Alden Terry, Sr and Ellen Ball Terry.

Grace and her older brother, Joe, spent several summers in Camden where their father worked for families that vacationed there.  During these summers, Grace developed lifelong friendships, and met Stephen Gross.

She attended public schools in Fall River.  While in middle school she met Ruth Bogle; their close friendship continued for more than 80 years.  After high school, Grace attended Children's Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1944.

Grace married the love of her life, Stephen Gross on February 3, 1946, in Fall River, Massachusetts.

After spending the winter at the 'Green Camp', the family cottage on Hosmer Pond, they moved to Brewer.   

Grace and Steve had five sons, four in Brewer and one after returning to Camden.  A sixth “son”, Martin Zzibu Kironde, joined the family for a year, through AFS.

Grace's family was the primary focus of her life. Over their 67 years of marriage, Grace and Steve attended practically every event that involved their sons, including sporting events, band concerts, chorus concerts and plays. This devotion to family continued in support of their eleven grandchildren.

She also took a great deal of pleasure spending summers with her children and grandchildren at the family camps on Hosmer Pond.  Her grandchildren fondly remember her homemade apple sauce and ginger snap cookies.

Active in the First Congregational Church, UCC in Camden, Grace volunteered in many roles, including head of the Christian Education Program.  This devotion to the community set a strong example for her family.  As a fair-weather skier, she could often be seen on the gentler slopes of the Snow Bowl enjoying her flawless snowplow.  Grace was office manager for Monroe & Goodwin, Inc, for a number of years.

Grace was sadly predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Stephen K. Gross and their eldest son, Donald A. Gross, as well as her brother, Ernest “Joe” Alden Terry, MD.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law Margaret Gross; sons Peter (Rachel), Kenneth, Robert (Cynthia Watson), and Richard (Laurina); her 11 grandchildren, Michele (Jake) Metzler, Laura (Christopher) van der Lugt, Rebecca (James) Mrazek, Sarah (Colin) Griggs, Hilary (John Barker) Gross, Jack and his partner, Rachael Plummer, Matthew and his fiancée, Amanda Butler, Kerry, Stephen, Emma and Andrew Gross; and her five great-grandchildren, Margaret and Abigail Metzler, Raleigh and Henry Griggs, and Alice Barker; a sister-in-law Betty Jane Terry Mills; and nine nieces and nephews and their families.

Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Gross Family by visiting their book of memories at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.  A private family nterment service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery, Camden. A celebration of Grace’s life will be held in August, 2021.

Those who wish to remember Grace in a special way can make gifts in her memory to the Shields Mission Fund c/o the First Congregational Church of Camden; to Meals on Wheels c/o MCH Inc, Rockland, ME; or the Camden Area District Nursing Association, Camden.