Van Ambursley

Upon graduating from high school, Van learned the importance of hard work and self-reliance. The Panama Canal Zone was the major employer for Panamanians during the 1930s and 1940s and it was there that Van found employment at the United States Commissary.

While working at the Canal Zone Commissary she began to form lifelong relationships that would teach her innumerable life lessons. In 1942 she met Mavis Jonas (Myers) whose mother, Violet, would later immigrate to the United States. Van and Mavis were kindred spirits whose friendship became a lifelong sisterhood. It was through Mavis’ mother that Van found her opportunity to immigrate to the United States, as well, and in 1957 she settled in Brooklyn, New York.

On November 16, 1957, Van gave birth to her daughter, Giselle Elaine. She loved her daughter and instilled in her the importance of respect and compassion for others. No one was any more or less important than anyone else. She would often say, if you love someone, they should know that you love them and the best way for them to know you love them is by your actions.

On August 23, 1959, she married Norman Hastings Ambursley. His child from a previous union brought Van another daughter, Marjorie Ann (Lebert). She and Marjorie built and maintained a loving relationship. Even after Norman’s passing in 1972, Van’s relationship with Marjorie would continue to flourish. They remained close until Van’s passing.

Although Van only raised one daughter, she would become “like a mother” to countless young adults, mostly young women. She always cherished time with "her girls". Van knew that young girls could benefit from her guidance and wisdom. Empowering young women was important to her and she was an ardent believer that common sense was more valuable to a young woman than anything written in a book and that being mindful of other people’s feelings was the way to their heart.

As much as Van loved being Giselle’s mother, her greatest joy came from being a Grandmother. Elayne-Danyele and Leilani-Kali gave Van a new purpose. The bond between her and her granddaughters was amazing to behold. Each of them had a relationship with their grandmother that was unique to them as individuals. They shared secrets and inside jokes. There is a special song with Grandma or a story with Ma. There was a favorite TV show, a favorite book, a funny dance. There was even a special kiss and embrace to express their affection that was unique to each of her “Little Chickadees”. There were many walks and talks throughout the years that each of them could cherish for a lifetime. Memorable moments were made and shared and neither of the girls ever felt less important than the other (although Elayne would always say that she was Grandma’s favorite).

Van had a way of making people comfortable. Her quick wit made people laugh and her warm smile was infectious. There was room in her heart for everyone and although you were part of a large number of people wherever you were, Van made you feel singularly special. She had “daughters” everywhere. Most of her years of employment were spent in retail. She worked at several major Department Stores in New York City. When a store closed for business, Van was always asked to transfer to the new location. She was valued by her employers as well as her coworkers. Whether it was Mangle’s, E.J Korvette, Bonwit Teller, Lord and Taylor, Bolton’s, or Chemical Bank, she built strong relationships with her coworkers everywhere she went. Van offered emotional support, wisdom, advice, fun conversation, and unconditional friendship to many which would bond them for life.

Van valued the importance of service to others. Shortly after retirement, she relocated to Ocala, Florida. Never learning to drive did not deter her adventurous spirit. She would get on a different bus every day “just to see where it goes” and if she saw something out of the bus window that sparked her curiosity, she would get off the bus and go exploring. It is on one of these adventures that she found a Senior Citizen’s Community Center where she became a member and would volunteer her time to “help the seniors.” She forged lasting relationships with people there as well. Van received several Service Awards and commendations from the Community and was featured in the local newspaper due to her dedication to others.

Always a devout Catholic, Van found a new church family in Ocala. Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church would become a special place where more lifelong friendships were cultivated.

While in Ocala, Van became roommates with her widowed sister-in-law, Gloria, who she affectionately called Glo. When Gloria retired from work in New York City, Van invited her to come to Florida and enjoy the change of pace. Their friendship would also last a lifetime.

In 2009, while visiting family and friends in New York, Van became ill. At that time she was staying with her granddaughter, Elayne on Long Island. She was discharged from the hospital to the care of what is now called Quantum Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Middle Island, NY. In typical Van fashion, during her stay at Quantum, she became Mommy Van to doctors, nurses, therapists, aides, and staff - as well as the other residents. She showed genuine care, concern, and appreciation for the people whose job it was to care for her daily. Everyone at Quantum treated Van like family every day until her last day when she passed peacefully in her sleep.

Van is survived honorably and proudly by her daughter, Giselle Elaine Ambursley; granddaughters Elayne-Danyele Rivers, Leilani-Kali Rivers; Sisters in Spirit Mavis Myers and Gloria Hunt; Goddaughters Nelida Chana Myers-Burnett, Barbara Rhoden; Bonus daughter Marjorie Ann Lebert, and a host of other wonderful extended family and friends.

'Don't be sad, I am with God now so rejoice with me in this celebration. Enjoy good music and have one or two drinks. Love you all. Thank you' Van Ambursley