Carolyn M. (Wedholm) Ambrose

Carolyn Ambrose would always tell her children, whom she adored 'Make good choices'! Sage advice not only for them, but also for each of us who take some time to read about what an amazing woman was this wife, mother, sister...and best of all friend to everyone. In a room filled only with love and surrounded by family and close friends Carolyn died on Friday, June 7, 2019 at The Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. As in life...her valiant fight with cancer concluded with indomitable grace and humor. She was 56 years old.

Carolyn M. Wedholm was born on January 8, 1963 in Boston a daughter to the late Ralph and Barbara (Coughlin) Wedholm. Raised in Hingham, she moved to New Jersey as a young child where she graduated from Ridge High School in Basking Ridge and then earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Keene State College. While attending Keene, she was a member of Sigma Rho Upsilon sorority and played its women's soccer team.

While working as a server in the popular establishment 'The Office' in Morristown, New Jersey Carolyn met Greg Ambrose whom she would quickly refer to as her 'forever boyfriend.' They later married on June 15, 1991 in The Church of Christ the King in New Vernon, New Jersey. Home was New Jersey for a short time until returning to her native New England in 1997 where they made Shrewsbury their home.

Professionally, Carolyn began work as an intern in London for Nestle before moving back to the states where she worked at J. Crew and Coach Leatherworks in New York City. She enjoyed a rewarding career in marketing and corporate development for non-profit organizations including The Hanover Theater in Worcester and most recently for The Community Harvest Project in Grafton, where she brought enthusiasm and unwavering spirit to increase community involvement. Her partners and coworkers at the Community Harvest Project describe her as one of those people who made our community an even better place to live. Her work and friendships from the Junior League in Worcester, where she served as President, were memorable times doing what she loved by volunteering.

Long before her diagnosis of colon cancer Carolyn always enjoyed life to the fullest. Hobbies and passions included gardening, spending time with friends, reading books, traveling, vacationing on Cape Cod with her family at local Bayview Beach in Dennis, and of course enjoying a cold Corona Light with lime or Tanqueray and tonic in her backyard oasis coined 'Carolynville'. Spending her spare time with dirty hands in the soil would produce beautiful things. Like gardening Carolyn was similar in that flowers brought joy and color into the world. Let us be grateful for the people like Carolyn who make us happy. She was one of those charming gardeners that made our souls blossom. Perhaps, one of her wittiest hobbies was selecting the perfect greeting card for family or friends. She could skillfully seek out the card that was often times non-traditional to send, but undoubtedly made for a great belly laugh! Most recently, she came home in her new fire engine red soft top Jeep Wrangler. She walked in the kitchen, placing the keys on the table telling her forever boyfriend her new car was in the driveway and asked if he wanted to go for ride. Carpe diem!

Carolyn constantly and successfully put smiles on the faces of her family, friends and strangers through her humble and infectious spirit. She always seemed to have this uncanny ability to brighten up the room she entered. Her hearty laugh always heard throughout the room, followed by a little dance jig and big smile. Her contagious sense of humor and genuine care for others drew people close to her and made them instantly feel comfortable.

In addition to her 'boyfriend', Greg she leaves their children. Carolyn was their mother first...and their best friend second. Alexandra, Peter and Chad know they were blessed with one the world's best mothers. She leaves her siblings, Christopher Wedholm (Pamela Helms), Kathleen Eppinger (Michael), Kenneth Wedholm (Cindy); in-laws Clifford Ambrose (Therese) (late Frances), Eric Ambrose, Marc Ambrose (Lorraine Spiro); nieces and nephews to whom she was lovingly known as 'Fun Aunt Cally' and a host of wonderful friends.

Family and friends will honor and remember Carolyn's life by gathering for calling hours in Saint Mary's Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury on Thursday, June 13th from 4 to 8 p.m. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 14th at 10 a.m. in the church. Burial is private.

Memorials in her name may be made to The Community Harvest Project, 37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton, MA 01536 www.community-harvest.org or The Hanover Theater, 2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, MA 01608 www.thehanovertheatre.org.

'Make good choices!'