Karen Ann Ross (2 Apr 1965 - 8 Mar 2025)

We want to pay our respects to David, Callum, James, Kate and all the family.

Karen was an amazingly generous, funny, beautiful lady inside and out.

We will miss her so very much…
Our conversation in the Salon were always colourful sometimes emotional but mostly hilarious.

To us she will be the brightest star in the sky…✨

We are so very sorry we’ve all lost this amazing lady far to soon. ♥️♥️♥️

Mom,
I should’ve been calling you yesterday to tell you about how my first day in my new job went. How nice my manager is, how much I’m looking forward to working with my new team. How I’m doubting my ability and knowledge, and you should’ve been at the other end telling me to stop being silly and remind me that I’m intelligent and deserving of this position. Instead I drove home in silence because nothing else could fill the void that should’ve been you on the other end of my phone.
I’m still abit lost, trying to navigate my way through life without you.
I check this page everyday, reading people’s fond words and memories they shared with you. You really are 1 in a million, and I, along with everyone else, miss you endlessly. Can’t wait til we can dance to ABBA again together one day.
Love you forever and ever xxx

Just a reminder for those attending the funeral to wear colours, or whatever is comfortable. My mom always mentioned she didn’t want people wearing black to her funeral 💚

My fabulous Ninja Buddy, there are not the words to define the amazing force of nature that you were and the gap you have left in mine and everyone’s lives.

So many worried that we would clash when we first started working together 11 years ago, but we just clicked, as most people did with you. You were just a delight to work with and be around, always buzzing with work, joking, laughing inappropriately, sharing our worries, talking family, who you were so proud of and loved so much. And, of course, you regularly feeding us with some wonderful baking!

Work took us in different directions in GT, but our friendship continued, our morning catch ups as we drove to work became habit, then Teams calls as home working became the norm. I keep going to ring you each time I drive to Solihull, then remember you won’t answer. It still hasn’t sunk in, so I chat to you while I drive, and imagine what you’d say, and I hear your chuckle, and I remember you.

I will never forget my Ninja buddy, work bestie, and always be grateful of the good times we shared.
Rest in peace chuck, see you again one day xx

Karen, we worked together over the years, we laughed, we cussed, we chatted about anything and everything and though changes at work meant we didn't see each other still we always knew we could count on each other. You were amazing, funny, kind and I know your family were your world.

I still can't believe I won't hear your chuckle again, you will be remembered and missed by many. Thank you for being my colleague and my friend, see you later xx

Karen was such a big part of my work family and I can't express how much I am going to - and already am - missing her.

When I very first worked with her - years ago - I mis-heard someone in the team saying her name as 'Mother Convention' and she was known to me as 'MC' for evermore. She called me 'SM' - but we won't go into that!

She was a phenomenal woman, a powerhouse who motored through even the most challenging of projects with laughter, determination and very high standards.

She has left a massive hole for so many people - none more so than her beloved family, whom she adored and talked about so much, I felt I knew you all. My heart goes out to you.

Every email to and from Karen was signed off with a big, fat MWAH! X

MC, I will miss you Flower. You were a superhero. May you rest in peace you lovely lady. With my love, SM. MWAH! X

I've found that its easier for me to write a letter, which I hope is OK...

Dear Karen

Thank you for being my "work mum" since 2021, you went out of your way to make us all feel comfortable - I'm so grateful.
Thank you for always making me laugh - whenever we spoke we laughed, even when work wasn't great we managed to find something funny. Your sense of humour was so mischievous and wicked, I really miss it - a shared love of toilet humour and "that's what she said" moments.
Thank you for always taking the time to listen about my experiences as a mum and always finding a way to make me feel better with a story of your own. Your complete love for your family always shone.
I'm sad I didn't manage to ask you about having a motorbike licence and your adventures.
I'm sad I didn't ask for your BBQ sauce recipe.
I'm sad I won't hear: "Hey up, chuck!" again on Teams calls.
I'm sad I won't get another Team quiz with you.
But...
I'll remember you when I'm baking bread because you said that when you're kneading bread it helped with work frustrations.
I'll remember you on 1st December as that's the date that you said that you like to have everything sorted so that you could enjoy the Christmas build up.
I'll remember your sparkle and chuckle.

Thank you isn't enough. I'm so grateful our paths crossed.
When they do again, I'll see you at the bar...
Good night, god bless.
With much love, Sarah xx