Ethel D. (Orell) Ambach

West Brookfield - Ethel D. (Orell) Ambach, 86, of West Brookfield was called to heaven on April 8th, 2022 after a brief illness.

A beloved and devoted mother and wife, she leaves behind her daughters, Sheree Jolicoeur and her husband Rene of Wilmington, NC., Nancy Hunt and her husband Damien of Varnville, SC. and Karen Ambach of Falmouth. 

She leaves her loving grandchildren, Joshua, Melissa, Megan, John Michael, Sarah and Katherine, and darling great grandchildren, Olivia, Christian, Avery, Jacob, Alex, Benjamin and Aubrey. 

She also leaves behind close friend Priscilla Cleveland as well as her sisters Patricia, Carol and Yvonne. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 54 years, Walter C. Ambach in 2009 and her daughter Donna Ambach in 2015.

Ethel was born in Worcester to the late Edward and Lillian (Still) Orell and moved to West Brookfield at a young age. It was there that she met and married the love of her life, Walter Ambach, and the two filled their home with four beautiful daughters. 

Ethel was a wonderful mother and talented homemaker who delighted in raising her family. She cooked, sewed, knit and made all her own jellies and canned goods. 

During the 1970’s Ethel and Walt successfully started a small farm and gave their daughters an experience of a lifetime. 

Walt and Ethel traveled extensively visiting Spain, Alaska, Hawaii, Vegas, and most of the US. 

In 2018, she moved into Cedarbrook assisted living.  It was there that she met her close friends Pauline and Charlotte and they became “The Three Amigos”.

 She was active in the Women’s Fire Auxiliary club and a member of the first Congregational Church in West Brookfield.

A Graveside Service for Ethel will be held on Monday, April 18th, at 2 pm at Pine Grove Cemetery in West Brookfield. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701 or at cancer.org. 

Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield is assisting her family with arrangements. 

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