Patricia Ann Ambrose, formerly of Millerton, NY, passed away on February 8, 2015. Patricia was a kindergarten and first grade teacher for 39 years in the Webutuck School District, teaching in Amenia and Millerton, NY. She retired in 2012 and relocated to Fishkill.
Patricia was born on March 1, 1948 in Yonkers, NY, eldest daughter of Vincent Walter and Norma Woodrow Ambrose. She grew up in the Bronx, graduated from Hunter College, and received her Master’s in Education from the University of Virginia.
A dedicated and caring educator, Patricia made it her life’s work to teach young children how to read and write. When a child learned to read she referred to it as “The Miracle”, and felt proud and blessed to have helped hundreds of students take those first steps toward the mastery of the written word.
Patricia was a beloved aunt and great-aunt, and she took great interest in those things important to her nieces, nephews, and their children. She loved her family with great passion and could always be counted on for a wry smile, sage counsel, and a warm hug. She was also a talented quilter and embroiderer, keeping her family well-supplied in Christmas stockings throughout the years.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents and one nephew. She leaves and will be missed by her three sisters and brothers-in-law, Jean and Charles Degl of Mahopac, Carol and Joseph Cerreto of Montrose, and Karen and Joseph Roberto of Hopewell. She also leaves eight nieces and nephews and eleven great-nieces and great-nephews.
Services will be held on Wednesday, February 11 from 3:00-8:00pm at 1028 Main Street, Fishkill. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 10:00am on Thursday, February 12 at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, Fishkill.In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made in her name to the Northeast-Millerton Public Library, of which Patricia served as a Trustee for many years.
Her family is grateful to all her friends, acquaintances, and former students for their good wishes, messages, and prayers during her illness.
She left us too soon, but we are all the better for knowing her.
