A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday for Anna K. Kessell Bross of Assumption Village, North Lima, formerly of Bon-Air Drive, Sharon. She passed away peacefully from this life at 8:20 a.m. Thursday (3-10-11) in Assumption Village. She was 96.

Mrs. Bross was born April 21, 1914, in Sharon, a daughter of Michael and Mary Billen Kessell.

She was an active member of St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, where she had been a charter member of its Women's Guild. She was baptized and later confirmed at the former St. Michael's Greek Catholic Church, Farrell, which is now St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church, Hermitage.

In her early years, she was active with the Brownie Girl Scout Troop 92, Sharon.

During her life, she held many positions with local businesses, most notably her employment with the former Livingston's Department store in downtown Sharon. During her 20 years at Livingston's, she began as a sales associate and was eventually promoted to store manager, a position not usually held by a woman in those days. She later worked at the former Pierre's House of Fashion as both a tailor and co-manager.

Her husband, Paul Bross, whom she married Sept. 1, 1936, passed away Sept. 13, 1987.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; she will be sadly missed by all.

Anna is survived by: her son, Paul J. Bross and his wife Laurie, Atascadero, Calif.; her daughter, Marilyn E. Mickholtzick and her husband James, Boardman, Ohio; her daughter-in-law, Sandi Bross, Sharpsville, PA; six grandchildren, Laurie Kathleen Bross Pollington, Atascadero; Terrence Paul Bross, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Todd Theodore Bross, Union, Maine; Jennifer Bross Shorts, Yelm, Wash.; Scott Mickholtzick, Boardman; and Dr. Sandy Mickholtzick Glagola, Cleveland; and 13 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Bross was preceded in death by her parents; her son Thomas Theodore Bross; two sisters, Mary Kessell Cook and Elizabeth Kessell Dzurinda; her brother, Michael Kessell Jr., and her grandson, Robert Mickholtzick.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Joseph's Women's Guild, 79 Case Ave., Sharon, PA 16146.

Calling hours: 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday (3-13-11) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon, with a Rosary recited at 5:30 p.m. by St. Joseph's Women's Guild.

Friends may e-mail condolences by visiting www.McGonigle-FuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Monday (3-14-11) in St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Glenn R. Whitman, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Michael's Cemetery, Hermitage.