Matthew Isaac Ross

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Matthew Isaac Ross, 9 years old, on May 1, 2026. Mattew was born on January 29, 2017, in Yuma Arizona. Ever the daring child, he nearly immediately boarded a helicopter bound for the big city of Phoenix, Arizona, where he remained in the NICU for several weeks. Due to complications from his birth, doctors were not sure he’d ever leave the hospital. He proved them wrong. Matthew moved, along with his family, to California Maryland in August 2017. Though his cerebral palsy created numerous limitations for Matthew, his impact on his family and community was profound. His brilliant smile was unforgettable, and lifted the spirits of those around him more than words ever could. He loved church, his school, and music, to include Bob Marley, musicals, and every once in a while, heavy metal. He was a rough-and-tumble boy who enjoyed off-roading in his wheelchair and wrestling with his siblings. Matthew possessed a dry and sometimes dark sense of humor, often laughing at inappropriate times. He made all of us better by teaching us to take ourselves less seriously, and by increasing our capacity to love. What Matthew loved most of all was being with his family, traveling with them, hugging them, and talking to them in his own special way. He is survived by his mother Meagan, his father Nathaniel, his stepmother Vanessa, and his five siblings: Robert, Benjamin, Joseph, Allison, and Corinne. A memorial service for Matthew will take place on May 16 at 3:30 PM, at Southpoint Church, 43160 Saint Andrews Church Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hope for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy. Or, more simply, show unconditional kindness for someone who needs it, and share a smile to brighten someone’s day, much like Matthew’s all-to-brief presence in this world brightened our lives. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.