Mary Ambrose

Mary Patricia Ambrose (Mohan), known to all as Nana, died peacefully under a full moon at Holy Cross Catholic Hospice in Ft. Lauderdale, FL just two weeks past her 92nd birthday. She and her husband Jim, who predeceased her in 2020, hailed from the Bronx having been born only four days apart and a few city blocks from each other. Married 67 years, together they (mostly her since Jim traveled a lot) raised seven children across six states, adapting to all the challenges and changes those many relocations afforded. From New York to Florida to Massachusetts to Illinois, all that wall and furniture painting earned her a retirement fund she could count on. She shepherded seven kids through new environments every few years with new schools, doctors, dentists, sports teams, and girl scout troops.

Three meals a day for nine was not easy. Always cooking for a crowd in pots and pans purchased at a restaurant supply store, she made some favorite dishes like tuna casserole, beef stew, and the ever-popular lasagna and meatballs (pretty good for an Irish girl). Two gallons of milk per day and potatoes were a staple. But she even got the kids to eat liver and lima beans. The long table with a bench on one side could accommodate all diners, big and small.

The house in Long Island was a neighborhood favorite with a pool in the backyard. All summer long, the girls and the boys would alternate swimming. A variety of pets populated the yard. Aunt Ronnie and Uncle Tom would visit frequently as did Nana Agnes from the Bronx. For a brief time, the family lived in southern Florida in a house by the canal. One day Dan, at age 4, casually stepped on a black moccasin in the yard but was miraculously not bitten. The neighbor "dealt with" the snake! We were country club members then where Mom could watch over the bunch of us swimming and diving from the high dive. The house in Massachusetts had enough room for a fresh vegetable garden and the homes outside of Chicago hosted pre-football game meals for the high school teams. An avid fan, Mary loved kids; the more the merrier.

Mary was fearless, curious, fierce, and a great storyteller, traits mastered by a good Irish upbringing. With pride, she enrolled in college at age 55 and earned a degree from Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey amongst her new 21-year-old friends.

As the kids moved away and got married, Mary and Jim retired to the Sunshine State. For three decades, they frequented the opera and the symphony, traveled the world, reconnected with Mohan relatives in Montana, and visited family all over the country. Mary enjoyed the usual, and sometimes unusual, retirement activities such as book club, walking club, water aerobics, mahjong, needlepoint, knitting, painting, and memoir writing. Christine and Christopher lived nearby to keep an eye on them, especially in their later years.

Mary was a force of nature, courageous and strong, facing life's challenges head-on like when she stood by Jim through his recovery from a serious heart attack at 41 years old. Sneaking a quick comment between consciousness and unconsciousness, "You better not leave me alone with these kids, oh no!" she cried. She survived breast cancer and averted lung cancer, too. She was full of life and relentless energy, even doing the twist with the groom only a few years ago. She was a model of determination and perseverance for her children and others, leaving a legacy of strength and resilience. And, of course, she had her favorite Nana-isms to guide us (or haunt us) through life: "If it isn't your ass, it's your elbow" when we complained too much, and "Who died and left you boss?" when we were too big for our breeches.

Mary is survived by her children and their families: Mare and partner Jim of Cape Cod, Jim and Estelle of Ruidoso, NM, Laura and Ron Brock of London, England, Christine of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Christopher and Gloria of Cooper City, FL, and Dan and Sandy of Coatesville, IN. Jeanine Gusler predeceased her in May this year at age 66 with husband Gil at her side. She will also be missed dearly by a gaggle of grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also leaves behind her only surviving sibling, Veronica and husband Tom Wojciaczyk of Texas as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mom, you gave us everything, and now we carry your wisdom and love in our hearts. During this Thanksgiving season, we are grateful for that love forever.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Holy Cross Catholic Hospice of Ft. Lauderdale would be greatly appreciated.