Irene C. Ross

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Irene C. Ross, a beloved daughter, sister, aunty, partner, and friend, died on December 4, 2025, at the age of 86. She lived a life rich with creativity, tenderness, and curiosity. She will be remembered for the way she led with love in everything she did.

She was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Benjamin Ross, as well as her cherished siblings, Rochelle Francine Gordon and Richard Barry Ross. She shared many joyful years with her partner, Howard Pinstein, whose companionship brought her great joy and comfort.

She was educated at Roxbury Memorial High School and later attended classes at Boston University, continuing a lifelong love of learning. A woman of many talents, she approached her pursuits with determination and grace. She spent more than 60 years in the travel industry, building a career marked by leadership, integrity, and service. With her mother and brother, She founded Tri Travel in 1965.  From 1990 to 2020, she served as the President and CEO of Ross Travel Consultants, guiding the company with vision and an unwavering commitment to her clients and colleagues. She also served as Past President of ASTA, Vice President of PTANA, and was a lifelong member of IATAN. In 1990, she was honored as one of the Top 50 Massachusetts Women-Owned Businesses, a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and professional excellence.

Her passions were as expansive as her heart. Traveling the world brought her happiness and inspiration, and she explored new places with a sense of wonder that never faded. She was an artist, jewelry maker, poet, and accomplished vocalist; a memoirist, a romantic with a fondness for Danielle Steele novels; and above all, someone who always put family first. Her creativity and spirit live on in every person who loved her.

She is survived by a large and devoted family who will carry her memory forward: sister and brother-in-law, Judi and Edward Zuker, nieces and nephews David and Elizabeth Gordon, Paul and Penny Gordon, Lisa and Noah Pearlstein, Abigail Goodman and David Norr, Mark Goodman, Alison Ross and Ian Benton, and Franklin and Rachel Ross; and great-nieces and great-nephews Danielle, Stephanie, and Rachel Gordon, Matthew Gordon, Beth Gambale, Sadie and Rio Pearlstein, Rebecca, Hannah, and Esme Goodman, Richard, Madeline, and Eloise Benton Ross, and Sloane Ross.

A funeral service will be held at Temple Israel of Boston, 477 Longwood Avenue, on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.(parking on the Riverway) Interment at Temple Israel Cemetery, Wakefield. Shiva to follow from 4:30 to 7:30 pm at the home of Rachel and Franklin Ross.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Brain Tumor Society, in honor of her strength, resilience, and spirit.