Loretta Ambuske

Mrs. Loretta C. Ambuske, age 94, formerly of Ambuske Street, Salamanca, New York died Friday March 6, 2009 at Sister Pat’s Home, 122 South First Street, Olean, New York following a long illness.

Born on August 28, 1914 in Salamanca, New York she was the daughter of the late Michael and Anna Dry Alduski. She was married on June 1, 1939 to Mr. Raymond I. Ambuske who predeceased her on July 21, 1978.

Mrs. Ambuske was a member of our Lady of Peace Parish (Holy Cross Worship Site) and the Our Lady of Peace Altar and Rosary Society. As a teenager, she wrote a short story, submitted it to the Buffalo Evening News, who published it and requested any others she had written. Her lifelong passions have been music, reading, dancing, gardening, and playing bridge. She served as a voter supervisor for thirty years, was a board member of the former Salamanca District Hospital Auxiliary, she was a member of Holy Cross Church Choir for many years, she served as a den mother for Cub Scouts, and was active in the Salamanca School PTA. After becoming a widow, she took up golf and bowling. Her accomplishments include earning a Life Master at duplicate bridge. She lost her sight in 2000 due to glaucoma. She followed golf tournaments and enjoyed mystery books on tape. She attended concerts with friends, especially enjoying concerts and musicals featuring her daughter Kathryn Black, she also enjoyed dining out, visits from family and delighted in the accomplishments of her five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Surviving are: 3 daughters, Dr Barbara (Dr. Robert) Sadowski, Clarks Summit, Pa., Dr. Anne (Norv) Chew, Evergreen, Colorado, Kathryn (Daryl) Black, Salamanca, New York; a son, Gregory (Francie) Ambuske, Bradford, Pa.; 5 grandchildren, Amy (Mark) DeGurian, Venetia, Pa., Dr. Gregory (Ann) Ambuske, Carly Ambuske, Bradford, Pa., Dr. Gordon Wingard, Prescott, Arizona, Kathryn (Herbert “Chip”) Starick, Golden, Colorado; 7 great grandchildren, Sara DeGurian, Jack DeGurian, Sophie DeGurian, all of Venetia, Pa., Holly Ambuske, Andrew Ambuske, both of Bradford, Pa., Tegan, Starick, Kira Starick, both of Golden, Colorado.

She was predeceased by a son, Robert Raymond Ambuske on April 17, 2002, a sister, Rose Bloom, 2 brothers, Carl Alduski and Max Alduski.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Sunday (March 8, 2009) from 4-7 P.M.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 10: 00 A.M. at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Holy Cross Worship Site with Rev. Gregory Dobson, pastor of St. Mary’s of the Angels, Olean, New York officiating.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, New York.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Sisters Pat’s Home 122 South First Street, Olean, New York 14760 or Ambuske- Sadowski Scholarship fund c/o Marywood University 2300 Adams Ave Scranton, Pa. 18509.

E condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com