Shirley Jane Ambrose

Shirley Jane Ambrose, 87, of Cabot passed away on Dec. 16, 2020, at Concordia Lutheran Ministries.

Born May 23, 1933, in Allison Park, she was the daughter of Harry Baumgartel and Bertha Pfirrman Baumgartel.

Shirley loved her family, especially the little ones. She loved being a mom, Grammy and great-Grammy to her seven children, 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. They lit up her world.

She was a dedicated and loving wife to her husband, “Duke,” who preceded her in death in 2016. They were married for 61 years when he passed, and she never got over her loss.

Shirley was a farm wife, assisting with all the activities required to keep a successful farm going: driving trucks and tractors, making parts runs and delivering meals to the field to keep everyone nourished.

She enjoyed gardening, and canning the produce to feed her large family. She loved baking: Pies and cookies were her specialty. The cookie jar was never empty; there was always a fresh batch coming out of the oven.

Shirley was a wonderful hostess. All visitors were served a hot cup of coffee and some type of baked good.

She loved spending the holidays with her family. Her holiday table started at one end of the large eat-in kitchen, went through the doorway and to the other end of the living room.

She loved playing hymns on the piano, making cross-stitch cross bookmarks, playing Scrabble and doing word-search puzzles.

Shirley was a cherished member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, where she used her talents teaching Sunday school and playing in the handbell choir. She loved her Lord, and demonstrated that every day in the way she treated everyone she met.

She had a quiet manner about her that drew people to her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, especially her family.

Surviving are Shirley's children, Richard Ambrose of Cabot, Dale (Sharon) Ambrose of Butler, John (Linda) Ambrose of Chicora, Nancy (Jerry) Macurdy of Cabot, Eileen (Roy) Geary of Sarver, Susan (Jim) Osche of Cabot, and Judye (Joshua) Abernathy of Apollo; 13 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dusan “Duke” Ambrose, who passed away April 20, 2016; and three sisters.

The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staff of Concordia for the wonderful care that was given to Shirley for the last few years.

AMBROSE — There will be no visitation for Shirley Jane Ambrose, who died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.A private graveside service will be held Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, at St. Luke Cemetery, Hannahstown Road, Cabot, with the Rev. Ben Berteau officiating.Arrangements were entrusted to Fox Funeral Home, Saxonburg.Memorial donations may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church, 330 Hannahstown Road, Cabot, PA 16023.Please visit www.foxfuneralhomeinc.com.