Caren Sue Curtis Bierman Ross, Teacher, Dies at 74 Caren Ross (1946 – 2020) taught in some of Cook County’s toughest neighborhoods, specializing in special education and grades K-3.  She advocated for diversity, cultural awareness, tolerance, and good citizenship. She encouraged a love of reading amongst her many students. Born in Springfield, Ohio, she moved to Des Moines, Iowa and later Blue Island, Illinois with her family.  She attended Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in Blue Island.  In 1968, she married William Mitchell Ross of Terry, Montana and together they raised a family in Blue Island and Calumet Park.  With her daughters, she was active as a troop leader and volunteer in the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.  She was also active in her local Methodist church. She would later attend Chicago State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.  She pursued graduate studies in Education at Governor’s State University while teaching in Markham. After retirement from teaching, she moved to Northwest Indiana to be close to some of her daughters and grandchildren. She is survived by her daughters: Teri Embrey (David), Michelle Hoffer (Rick), Kathryne Ross, and Tiffany Ross (Tom). Caren’s grandchildren and great grandchildren include David John (Cynthia), Michael Hoffer Jasmine, Jeremiah, Ashley, Daphne, Josephine, Daniel Barbauld, Daniel Howard, Michael Howard, Matthew, Leslie (Tony), Zoe, and Margo and Aaron.  She also has nieces and nephews in Iowa and Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to educational institutions that support K-12 education and literacy initiatives.