Elizabeth "Betty" Mary Pierce (née Ambrose)

Elizabeth “Betty” Mary Pierce (née Ambrose) 

Born on February 21, 1940, returned peacefully to Our Lord on August 26, 2024. 

Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 48 years, John, and her sisters, Geri (Fred) Indoe and Mary Lee (Nelson) Koehler.  Betty is survived by her brothers, Jay (Maddy) Ambrose and William Ambrose, her four children, Shaun (Judy), Katie, Brendan (fiancée Julie), and Mary Beth, and her grandson John “Jack”.  Betty also has many nieces, nephews, extended family in the U.S., Ireland, and Canada, and close friends who will miss her loving presence in their lives. 

Born and raised in a lively family in New Jersey, Betty was the eldest of the five children of Joseph and Mary (Lee) Ambrose, who both immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland as young adults.  Betty attended St. Luke’s High School in Ho Ho Kus, N.J. and later met the love of her life, John, on a blind date on New Years Eve 1959.  They married and began their family in New Jersey, eventually moving to Connecticut where they raised their four children, enjoying annual vacations on Cape Cod. 

Betty had many careers in her life, beginning with work on a pony farm as a young teen and working in a diner in high school.  After graduation, Betty began work at the Prudential and took classes at Fairleigh Dickinson University prior to her marriage.  After years spent raising her children, she started her own used bookstore, Betty’s Book Swap, in Monroe, CT, which she sold before she, John, and their daughters moved to Arizona in 1988, joining son Brendan, who had moved to attend the University of Arizona.  Her favorite career, however, was wife and mother to her four children who were her pride and joy. 

Always generous with her time and talents, Betty volunteered her services with many organizations related to her children and Church, as well as ACES, a senior group in Tucson.  Betty greatly enjoyed singing in church choirs, including the choir at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Tucson with her husband, John, with whom they experienced the joy of singing in the Vatican.  She was an original member of the Marian Club and helped create the Quilt and Toy Ministry at St. Thomas.  Betty was an avid reader who passed along that trait to her daughters, particularly after reading ‘Heidi’ aloud to them when they were young.  She was a very sociable person, making friends wherever she went.  She enjoyed travel to various destinations, both local and distant.  Betty particularly loved to visit with her immediate and extended family.  One of her favorite movies, including the soundtrack, was South Pacific.  She was also a fan of Elvis and Harry Belafonte.  Betty had an unwaveringly positive outlook, found joy in the little things, and loved to share that joy with all those around her. 

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 10th at 10:30 a.m., preceded by an optional Rosary at 9:45 a.m., at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, 5150 N Valley View Rd, Tucson, AZ.  There will be a reception following in the Parish hall.  Please come and share your memories of Betty. 

Donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, Desert Southwest, either online or mailed to 2990 N Swan Rd, Ste 147, Tucson, AZ  85712. 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.