It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Beatrice Ambrose, 95, at Hunterdon Care Center in Flemington, NJ on February 1, 2026.

Beatrice May Van Alst was born on January 8, 1931, in the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York City to David Hunter Van Alst, Jr., and Beatrice Vivian (Wersing) Van Alst. After her first couple years in New York, she lived in New Jersey for the rest of her life. She was baptized as Beatrice Karlene Van Alst at Messiah Lutheran Church in Plainfield, NJ in 1934. After her mother’s second marriage, she began using the surname of her stepfather, William Douglas Ralph, who served in the Army during World War II and was killed in action in Italy. She graduated from Stanhope Grammar School in 1944 and from North Plainfield High School in 1948. For decades, she worked as a receptionist and then as a bookkeeper.

She often shared fond memories of swimming at Watchung Lake and living with her grandparents as a child in Watchung, NJ, which is named after the Lenni Lenape word for “high hills.” She began attending Native American pow wows in Watchung and sought out other Native American events throughout  the rest of her life. With her longtime boyfriend Howard Ehmann, she was an avid member of the Pierce-Arrow Society and attended many Civil War re-enactments at Gettysburg, PA and Manassas (Bull Run), VA. For several years and over many trips, she enjoyed snowmobiling with Howard, visiting his cabin in Vermont, and camping with him in Alaska, where a small group would fly out to a remote area, hike or ride on horseback to a campsite, catch fish, and encounter bears and moose up close. She loved dancing and was a fan of ice skating. Her aunts, uncles, and friends called her Bebe or Bubbles. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren called her Nanny or Super Nanny.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, John F. Connors; her second husband, Charles E. Ambrose; and her son, Alan B. Connors. She is survived by her sister, Penelope (Ralph) Weller; 2 daughters—Nadine Connors and Susan Gerstemeier; 2 sons—Charles E. Ambrose, Jr., and Brian D. Ambrose; 5 grandsons—Alan B. Connors, Jr., Jason M. Schifano, Keith M. Schifano, Jeffrey J. Ambrose, and Justin P. Ambrose; 5 granddaughters—Cindy A. Connors, Kathleen Connors, Brenda K. Schifano, Lorelei G. Gerstemeier, and Jenna C. Ambrose; 12 great-grandchildren; 1 nephew; and 1 niece.

Celebration of Life ceremonies will be held for Beatrice on February 8, 2026, at 10:30 am at the Evangel Chapel (55 Leigh St, Clinton, NJ) and on February 15, 2026, at 12:30 pm at the Flemington Baptist Church (170 Main St, Flemington, NJ). These will be moments for all to reflect on Beatrice's vibrant life and to find comfort in one another. Her family will miss her greatly, yet they will rejoice in knowing that she is at peace and her memory will eternally be a part of who they are.

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