The Late Seona Ross

Sadly, we have to announce the death of Seona Ross (Vice President of EXTEND) on Sunday 13th November 2011. A much loved figure and icon of EXTEND. At the age of 95 Seona had been a devotee of movement all her life.

In 1935 she trained as a teacher of the Women’s League of Health & Beauty (now the Fitness League) and when, at the age of 60 most people would be thinking of retiring, Seona became one of the pioneers of EXTEND. League members recall how she took off her League leotard and tights and announced, ‘I will now concentrate on EXTEND’ she did just that wearing both badges and uniforms with equal pride and honour, knowing that without the WLHB EXTEND would not have been born.

Seona, alongside Edith Clarke, Judith Holpin, Freda Lewis and Pauline Hughes EXTEND’s initial ‘Famous Five’ Area Directors of Development for EXTEND, was responsible for training hundreds of teachers and continued teaching in her village of Cricklade until last year. She was most happy in front of a class, and was a true inspiration to class participants, teachers and students. She was always ready to help any new teacher with gentle words of wisdom, never criticising and always encouraging. Her knowledge and understanding was unparalleled, and she could turn her hand to anything EXTEND threw at her, from a keep fit class for the over 60’s to classes for the elderly frail, fall prevention and cardiac rehab. It did not matter if there were a handful of people or a conference room packed to capacity, she did not need music or preparation, she could just ‘get up and do it’ and she did that on many occasions. Her recent hip replacement was merely an irritation, she prepared her body as if she was a world-class athlete and her recovery astounded her consultants.

Up until 2005 Seona was EXTEND’s representative at the Sport and Recreation Alliance (formally the CCPR) where in the early years she gained the nickname 'Little Miss Recreation' as she fought strongly for the recognition of Movement and Dance. She choreographed several items for the ‘CCPR On Show’ at the Royal Albert Hall showcasing EXTEND alongside diverse organisations such as British Cheer Leading, Royal Academy of Dance, Margaret Morris Movement, British Gymnastics, The Fitness League, Medau and the Keep Fit Association, showing that EXTEND’s brand of exercise can be creative and dynamic, her last item as producer was in 2005. In 2010 she watched the show from one of the boxes, delighted that so many of ‘her team’ were still able to perform at the Royal Albert Hall.

She was dedicated to EXTEND in Scotland, helping the Area Directors of Development with funds and apparatus, many of the Scottish teachers feel as if they have lost a member of their family. Seona’s influence spread as far as Ireland as our Irish teachers were guest teachers at the Bisham Abbey weekends that Seona organised for almost 30 years (only passing the baton to Anita Best and Tracy Levy when her receptionist Win was no longer able to help her). Everyone’s cameras snapped the annual photograph in front of the river with the fully-grown tree that once was a sapling with Seona reclined on the ground in front of the whole group. One of our most memorable occasions was when we celebrated Christmas (in May) and Seona enacted the 5 geese a-laying- during a rendition of the 12 days of Christmas, the expression on her face you would have believed she was laying an egg!

As Vice President of EXTEND Seona would sit very quietly considering every issue and when asked for her opinion she brought the matter back to the heart of EXTEND. She welcomed every guest and every new and prospective Trustee; she was gracious and charming, a true inspiration to continue the good work of EXTEND.

Once in everyone’s life one person comes along who makes a difference and for many Seona was that one person and we will remember her with fond memories for many years to come.
She was one of EXTEND’s most brightest and most radiant lights; our sadness is all the greater, as she seemed to be indestructible and that she could go on forever. She was a great inspiration and an example to us all of the value of exercise and fun combined with 'no nonsense’. Her spirit lives on through all she knew in EXTEND and our deepest sympathy goes to her son Forbes, daughter Jill and daughters in law, Jenny and Carol and to their families on their sad loss.
To use the words of Robbie Burns - she is an “Auld acquaintance that will never be forgot and frequently brought to mind as well as a trusty friend to whom we will always raise a cup of kindness”.