Sister Mary Ann Ambrose, CSJ, a Sister of St. Joseph for 41 years, passed away on June 26, 2024, at the age of 64, having spent her last days at Stella Maris Convent, Rockaway, with loving family and community present. 

Sister Mary Ann was born in Brooklyn, and entered the CSJ community from Our Lady of the Snows Parish, North Floral Park, where she attended elementary school. She graduated from Martin Van Buren High School in Queens in 1977. 

God’s call to Mary Ann led her to Brentwood on September 2, 1983, where her giftedness opened her to pursuing a BA in Sociology from St. Francis College, Brooklyn. 

The breadth and width of her ministries were the evidence of God’s deep passion within her. There were no holds barred as she moved from Hour Children, the ministry for children of incarcerated mothers, to education at St. Teresa of Avila, Prospect Heights, and St. Cecilia’s School, Greenpoint. 

Her call from God was varied and deep as she did parish ministry in St. Michael and St. Edward’s, as well as St. Ann’s and St. George’s parishes in Brooklyn. 

From 2001 to 2006 and beyond, she was pastoral minister in Christ the King, Springfield Gardens, and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Brooklyn. Her final assignment was at St. Ephrem’s Parish in Brooklyn, where she was Director of Religious Education. 

Sister Mary Ann’s gifts were known and revered, no matter where she was ministering. 

She captured the hearts of every pastor, priest and parishioner whom she encountered, so many of whom were at her funeral, which was celebrated at St. Ephrem Church, Bay Ridge, on July 2, 2024. 

Bishop Robert Brennan was the celebrant and Father Robert Adamo the homilist. Many priests, deacons, CSJ community members, family and friends filled the church. 

Her burial was in Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury.