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Harriett Ambrose, 1913-2013

How many people remember watching the infamous Pancho Villa leading a raid into Texas? How many people remember when women gained the right to vote? When the automobile took over?

Not many indeed, but Harriett Ambrose, matriarch of a well-known Pueblo Jewish family, was one of them. Mrs. Ambrose, who died Nov. 30, just two weeks shy of her 101st birthday, lived a life that was remarkable not only because of its length, but because of the way she witnessed and experienced the developments of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Born into a pioneer family, Mrs. Ambrose was herself a trailblazer, with many “firsts” on her list of accomplishments and life experiences: one of the first female editors of The Daily Texan; recipient of the first hip replacement; the first passenger on Braniff Airlines; the first customer at Neiman Marcus.

Being “first” so often is not just coincidence. People like Harriett Ambrose make things happen. People like Harriett Ambrose don’t watch the world from afar; they take a front-row seat. But Ambrose wasn’t just a a pioneer, a “type.” She was gracious, friendly, accommodating, loyal to friends and family, and all around . . . just, nice.

Undoubtedly, Mrs. Ambrose’s loved ones are grieving their loss, missing her after so many years on this planet. However, we join them in also celebrating a life well lived. May her memory be for a blessing.

Copyright © 2013 by the Intermountain Jewish News


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