Remembering Cordelia Ross, Ph.D., English Instructor and Caving Coach

A memorial service honoring the life of Cordelia Ross, Ph.D., will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 2 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin, Texas. If you plan to attend, please RSVP here so the family may plan accordingly.

It is with heavy hearts that we share English instructor and caving coach Cordelia Ross, Ph.D., passed away on August 19, 2025 surrounded by family and loved ones. She leaves behind her husband, Wayne Morris, and their 14-month-old daughter, Viola, among many other family members and friends.

Cordelia grew up in New Mexico and arrived at St. Stephen's just three years ago, in 2022. She joined the faculty full time as an English instructor and as a caving coach with Charlton Perry and the Devil's Canyon Adventure Program. 

She earned an undergraduate degree in English from Dartmouth College and her Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis. Combined with her formal education and caving experience, Perry described Cordelia as "a unicorn," who not only coached caving but was also trained in technical cave search and rescue. Cordelia studied medieval literature at UC Davis and was thrilled that she could merge her passions together having written her dissertation on the role of caves and medieval English literature. Additionally, she was an instructor with the National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC), teaching first responders how to rescue people in caves.

In her second year at St. Stephen's, Cordelia delivered a very moving chapel talk about her commitment to service through search and rescue. Cordelia felt it was important that St. Stephen’s students see adults on campus who are committed to the life of service we expect from our students. 

Our St. Stephen’s community celebrated with joy Cordelia's marriage to Wayne and her pregnancy. We marveled at her ability to navigate the cobblestone walkways in high heels. We also journeyed with Cordelia through her cancer diagnosis, Viola's emergency birth, and Cordelia's 14-month battle with the disease. Many of us have been heartbroken by her diagnosis and its impact on her young family. Though she was at St. Stephen's only a short time, Cordelia’s impact on our community is deeply felt.

“Cordelia expressed to me her great love and appreciation for our school and community,” said Perry. “She described working at St. Stephen's as her 'dream job' and confided that she never felt more supported and appreciated professionally in her adult life. She was very proud to be a faculty member of St. Stephen's, a member of the English Department and the head coach of the caving team. Thank you all for the great impact you have made on Cordelia in the short time we shared with her professionally.”

You are invited to share stories about Cordelia here that will be given to her husband and daughter.

And we invite you to join our community in this prayer: 

O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our sister Cordelia. We thank you for giving her to her family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on their earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console those who mourn. Surround them in your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come. Amen.