Obituary of Sr. M. Marlene Ambrose, OSF

Sister M. Marlene Ambrose, OSF (1927 – 2018) died at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, Joliet, Illinois, on May 17.  A native of Joliet, she was one of six children born to Ursula (Makse) and Valentine Ambrose.   She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers: Stanley, Leonard and Valentine and her sister, Mary Ann Morgan.  She is survived by her sister, Therese Bergstrom of Moreno Valley, California.  Sister Marlene was a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate (Joliet) for 74 years. 

Before entering religious life, Sister Marlene was a member of St. Joseph Parish in Joliet and attended St. Joseph Grade School.  She graduated from St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic Academy) and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of St. Francis (University of St. Francis) Joliet, IL.  

Sister Marlene ministered in the field of primary education teaching kindergarten, first and second grades from 1946 until 1992 at various schools in Illinois and Ohio.  She taught 9 years at St. Joseph School in Joliet, 13 years at St. Mary School in Plainfield and six years at Holy Family School in Joliet.  Sister Marlene served as assistant coordinator for the Sisters living at the Motherhouse for four years before beginning a new ministry of child care and senior care.  From 2007 until 2014 she assisted the Diocese of Joliet as the noon-time receptionist at the Chancery. In 2014 she began a ministry of service through prayer and presence at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home. 

Sister Marlene always remained connected to her Slovenian roots.  She was an active member of the Slovenian Women’s Union, Branch 20 volunteering her time to the Heritage Museum, the bake and rummage sales and the annual Grape Harvest Festival.  In 2004 she received the Woman of the Year award for her service.  Until her move to Our Lady of Angels, she was a member of the St. Joseph Choir.

The wake for Sister Marlene will be at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, 1201 Wyoming Avenue, Joliet, IL, (Wyoming and Rt. 30) on Thursday, May 24, 2018 from 2:00 – 6:45 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 4:45 p.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 7:00 p.m.  The Funeral Procession will leave from Our Lady of Angels on Friday morning, May 25, 2018, at 9:00 a.m.  Sister will take be interred in the Ambrose Family plot at St. Joseph Cemetery in Joliet, IL.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL  60435.

Fred C. Dames Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.  For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com