Lucy Guggenheimer Ross

Lucy Ross, born and raised in Lynchburg, graduated from Wesleyan College in 1964, with a major in elementary education.  Along with her Wesleyan roommate and now fellow Westminster Canterbury resident, Gena Davidson, Lucy moved to Virginia Beach where she taught elementary school for a couple of years before relocating to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and more elementary school teaching in nearby Wayland, MA.

On a trip to Lynchburg a friend arranged a blind date for her with Evan Ross (deceased 2018).  After what was mostly a long-distance romance, they married September 1969, and settled in Lynchburg.  Lucy taught at Payne Elementary School until the arrival of children--a son Michael and a daughter Katharine. Both currently live in Colorado, as do Lucy’s two grandchildren.   

With children to care for and wanting to continue to be involved in education Lucy entered what she calls a career of long-term substitute teaching.  In this capacity she frequently worked with students who were experiencing a variety of learning disabilities, an area of education that she found enjoyable, stimulating, and challenging.  To add to her knowledge, she completed some graduate courses at Lynchburg College (today, University of Lynchburg).

In 1986, Lucy, along with four other Lynchburg area women, founded New Vistas School, a private, non-profit day school dedicated to serving the needs of children and adolescents experiencing learning attention difficulties.  Lucy was appointed Executive Director, a position she held for 20 years before retiring in 2006.

Lucy may now be retired from the working world, but she has yet to retire from the volunteer world. Over the years, she has been involved with several community organizations, such as holding membership on an advisory board for Elizabeth’s Early Learning Center and serving on the board for Community Dialogue on Race and Racism.   In June 2004, the Lynchburg chapter of the National Conference for Community and Justice honored her with their Humanitarian Award.

Today Lucy’s attention as a board member is on Beacon of Hope.  She is a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and is particularly pleased with her time associated with the founding and operation of its day school.

In addition to her volunteer activities, Lucy enjoys playing duplicate bridge, attending plays and concerts, and traveling, especially if visiting museums appears on her itinerary.  When you see Lucy be sure to give her a warm WC welcome.