Shirley Ann Stoner Stewart Ambrose

b. April 30, 1934 Bozeman, Montana
d. June 28, 2026 Tucson, Arizona

  Before making Patagonia her home, Shirley worked at the Elkhorn Ranch in both Arizona and Montana and served as Executive Secretary for the Montana State University Athletic Department. She moved to Patagonia in 1976 and worked at the Little Outfit Ranch. With her exceptional business skills, she later joined Patagonia Schools, where she served as Business Manager for 20 years. She was incredibly proud of her work with the schools and especially loved the students, always referring to them as "the kids". She worked tirelessly to help secure a weight room and swimming pool for the school, often saying,"these kids need something to do".

 Shirley's warm smile and generous spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. She had many dear friends throughout the Patagonia and Sonoita communities. In 1984, she married the love of her life, William 'Bill' Ambrose, his third wife. Together, they created a home that was always open to family and friends. It was not uncommon for Bill and Shirley to pull extra steaks from the freezer to feed unexpected guests who stopped by.

 Family was the center of Shirley's life. Nothing brought her greater joy than having her family gathered at their home in Patagonia. Her yard was always filled with beautiful flowers and plants. She and Bill shared a love of gardening, growing vegetables and gourds that Shirley later transformed into beautiful painted works of art. Dancing with Bill was one of her greatest joys, and it remained one of her favorite memories throughout the last few years of her life.

  Shirley was predeceased by her beloved husband, Bill; her parents, Floyd and Helen Stoner; her daughters Donna Stewart Wing, Susan Stewart, Holly Stewart Allen, and stepchildren Suzanne Ambrose Soza, and J.W. Ambrose.

edited by SCS from various sources, and from obituary in "The Patagonia Regional Times", July 9, 2026/i>

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SCS July 16, 2026