Moira Buckley Ambrose

Moira Ambrose Obituary

Moira Buckley Ambrose, 70, of Helena, MT and of Bay St. Louis, MS, died Friday morning at the home of her daughter and son-in-law Grace and Benny Zaken in Wappingers Falls, NY. Born in Manhattan, NY, on January 1, 1939, to Irish immigrants Timothy Joseph and Veronica (nee Galligan) Buckley, she earned a BA from the College of Notre Dame. She and the late historian Stephen E. Ambrose married on September 30, 1968. They cherished one another all the days of their lives. They became a great team that raised five children, wrote more than 30 books (including a number of bestsellers), led tours of avid fans across America and Europe, and founded The National D-Day Museum in New Orleans (now known as The National WWII Museum). Her love of words, nurtured through decades of reading poetry and literature, shaped every book and every speech. With their great successes came Steve and Moira's joy at being philanthropists for numerous causes.

Moira was always the heart of her family, encouraging us to trust ourselves, to care for one another, and to enjoy the beauty around us. She was happiest sitting around a campfire with her family and friends in the evening after a day of hiking, canoeing, or walking on the beach, telling stories and singing songs. She passed away with the grace and dignity with which she lived. Although we have lost our compass, she set us on a course that is true.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, husband, and sister Oonah Clarke. She is survived by daughter & son-in-law Stephenie & John Tubbs, Helena, MT; son & daughter-in-law Barry & Celeste Ambrose, Missoula, MT; son & daughter-in-law Andrew & Chelle Ambrose, New Orleans, LA; daughter & son-in-law Grace & Benny Zaken, Wappingers Falls, NY; and son & daughter-in-law Hugh and Andrea Ambrose, Helena, MT; her grandchildren, Alexander & Riley Tubbs; Corina Ambrose; Fiona and Kenneth Ambrose; Stephen Zaken; and Elizabeth Buckley Ambrose; two brothers and sisters-in-law Harry and Margie Ambrose of Alexandria, VA and William and Priscilla Ambrose of Friendship, ME, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Friday, October 09, 2009 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Edmond Fahey Funeral Home 110 S Necaise Ave Bay St Louis, MS 39520-4424 (228) 467-9031??. All friends of Moira Ambrose are welcome.

Funeral gathering at her grave site on Saturday, October 10, 2009 11:00AM at the Gardens of Memory Cemetery 630 Central Ave Bay St Louis, MS 39520-3927 (228) 467-3574?. All friends of Moira Ambrose are welcome.

Her family asks to consider donations to http://www.liverfoundation.org/donate/ in lieu of flowers.

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis, MS is in charge of the arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Sun Herald on Oct. 7, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Moira Ambrose

10 Entries

Donna Urban

October 22, 2009

Moira was a true role model to me in the mid-70's. She was strong, intelligent, thoughtful and kind. I still see her wise, loving smile when I think of her. She is one of the few people I've encountered that seemed to be an old soul. I hope this is truly so, since I hope to encounter her again. Good-bye, Moira, you are missed, even by those you only touched briefly many years ago. PS., to the family that I knew only as kids (except for Andy, who I hope to see soon), I was happy to be a small piece of your family's life long ago, especially your mother's. My thoughts are with you.

Ronnie Abboud

October 9, 2009

Past memories of happiness and love
helps mend broken hearts. All peace and blessings.
Ronnie Abboud
National WWII Museum (D-Day Museum)

Kathryn Kendall

October 7, 2009

Especially for Stephanie and Gracie, I am so sad to hear this. Stephanie, you used to babysit for me with my baby son, Seth Kendall (born in 1973), when your mom was in grad school with me; and Gracie, you sometimes spent the night at my place--and we went camping once at Paul B. Johnson State Park in Mississippi. Your parents helped me in many ways in the 70s when we were very close friends. Then in the 80s I moved to Texas, finished my Ph.D., and went on to Massachuestts and then Africa, and we pretty much lost touch. I loved your mom so much--and your dad was very kind and generous with me. May they both be at peace now.
Kathy Kendall

Darlene Olivo

October 7, 2009

Dear family of Moira and Steve,

I am at a loss of words knowing that Moira has died. I treasured our friendship that began in a Consciousness Raising Group in the early 1970s, and continued until we lost touch just before Steve died. I remember when I had T-shirts printed commemorating the time she and I played bocce with our daughters on the beach in front of Merriweather that said something like, "Greater Pearl River Valley Mother-Daughter Bocce League."

Your parents were patrons of my art, and I loved them dearly for their amazing wit and intelligence, their social consciousness, generosity, deep and abiding love for American history and the desire to share it with others. I wish I could be there to honor her and hold you in my embrace.

With enduring love,
Darlene.

Hokly Holcomb

October 7, 2009

Moira and Steve are with me, have been for over 25 years, D-Day +40, D-day +50, Lewis And Clark, Missouri River, and Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.

They will always be near me, in my heart, where I can care for them. .

Holky

October 7, 2009

I am very sad to hear of her passing. In 2000 I got the chance to meet her and Steven when we were studying WWII and got to tour the Museum with them... They were both wonderful people.

Ann Israel

October 7, 2009

So Sad to hear this. Moira was a special friend to me.

Ann Israel

October 7, 2009

Sending love and deepest sympathy,
Elaine Christiansen

RITA ADKINS

October 7, 2009

SORRY TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF YOUR MOTHER............I KNOW THAT SHE IS HAPPY TO BE WITH YOUR DAD NOW. I TOOK CARE OF HER WHEN SHE WAS A PATIENT IN REHAB ANS SHE TALKED OFTEN OF YOUR DAD. I WAS A BIG FAN OF HIS.

Zide Bowers Jahncke

October 7, 2009

Sincere sympathy.
Fondly, Zide

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