Mary Elizabeth Ambrose

February 26, 1943 — March 12, 2024

Frederick

Mary Elizabeth Ambrose, 81, of Frederick, Maryland, peacefully passed from this life on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Born February 26, 1943, she was the oldest child of the late Richard Harry and Lillian Utterback Arnold. She grew up on the family dairy farm along Sundays Lane and worked beside her father and siblings in all aspects of the farm operation. Mary Elizabeth (aka “Butchie”) enjoyed singing and athletic activities, especially ice skating on the farm pond and sprinting on makeshift tracks - she was usually the fastest! Later, she enjoyed tennis, tap dance, and Jazzercise.

Mary Elizabeth graduated from Frederick High School, Class of 1961, and attended classes at Frederick Community College. For most of her adult life, she was employed by Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as an administrative assistant in offices at Ft. Detrick and Dallas, Texas. During this time, she loved traveling worldwide - Europe, Asia, and Australia. However, no matter where she was, Mary Elizabeth was most focused on and prioritized her family. She tried to attend holiday gatherings, celebrations, and reunions.

After retirement, Mary Elizabeth returned to the family farm. Loving the rural aspects of life, she placed her farm into a permanent conservation program. She was very active in volunteer work with the Lewistown VFD, Woodsboro VFD, local food banks, and various charitable organizations. Above all, Mary Elizabeth was devoted to serving her faith and was an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Dallas, TX, and then St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Utica, MD. She enjoyed participating in the choir, Bible Study Group, Women’s League, various committees, and her fellowship with other congregants.

Mary Elizabeth is survived by her sister LaRue A. Kelbaugh, two sons - Charles R. Ambrose (Teri, children Collin, Elizabeth, Kyle) and David T. Ambrose (Consetta, children Amanda, Aidan) and Austin Hunt (Karissa, children Landon, McKinlee). In addition, she is survived by her brother-in-law, George Ambrose, and wife, Mara, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mary Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband Charles K. Ambrose, siblings Richard H. Arnold, Jr. and Ernestine R. Arnold, and brother-in-law Gilbert B. Kelbaugh. Mary Elizabeth was especially grateful to Consetta Ambrose for her companionship and many years of love, friendship, and adventures, creating countless wonderful memories.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Utica, followed by a repast at Lewistown Vol. District Fire Dept, 11101 Hessong Bridge Rd., Frederick, Maryland 21701.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mary Elizabeth’s name to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Utica, 10621 Old Frederick Road, Thurmont, MD 21788-2919, or Frederick Health Hospice, 1 Frederick Health Way, Frederick, MD 21701

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Memorial Service

Thursday, March 21, 2024

11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Utica

10621 Old Frederick Road, Thurmont, MD 21788

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