Elia Sorice Ambrose 1951-2026

Elia Sorice Ambrose (aka wife, mother, Nonna, Zia and friend) was born March 9, 1951, in Sperone, Italy, to Michael and Maria Sorice. She immigrated to America in August 1963 with her mom and siblings at the age of 12, two years after her father was able to save enough money to bring them to the states, where they joined him.

After attending Woodrow Wilson High School, she pursued a cosmetology degree and worked in the field.

She also worked to help support her family at Wedgewood Pizza, where she met the love of her life, Joseph P. Ambrose, in 1967. Despite a stern Italian father that denied dating, their love prevailed. They married Dec. 5, 1970, and have been devoted to each other ever since.

Within five years their family was blessed with three children, Dr. Joseph Anthony Ambrose, Mary Ambrose Smith and Dr. Michael Frank Ambrose.

In 1974, they moved the family to Kansas City after Joe had been accepted to medical school. Elia was a devoted wife and mother during this time while Joe attended medical school, taking care of her own family and many of the children of other medical students.

Upon completion of medical school, the family settled back in Youngstown, where Joe interned at St. Elizabeth Hospital and then opened a family practice office. After the kids grew, Elia became an integral part of the practice.

She lived her life to serve others. That service and her compassion for people contributed greatly to the success of the practice for the 30 years that she worked, as the patients insisted on talking to her, knowing that she would find a way to slip them in for a visit. No child was ever denied a visit because “the office was already overbooked.”

Elia loved her family with every ounce of her being. Her husband, kids and grandkids were her pride and joy. In addition, she had a passion for cooking and sharing the fruits of her culinary creations with family and friends. Her thank you was the pleasure and satisfaction of knowing that they enjoyed the things she cooked with love.

In her spare time Elia enjoyed her time at the casino. She never met a casino that she did not like. When she saw the slot machines, her eyes would light up like a Christmas tree. She was always a winner, allegedly.

Mourning her loss are her soulmate and husband of 55 years, Joseph Ambrose; her children, Mary (Rod) Smith and Michael (Kristen) Ambrose; her grandchildren, Zariah Harris, Nate Harris, Lucy Harris, Abigail Ambrose, Patrick Ambrose, Kate Ambrose, Michael Ambrose, Haydn Smith, Savana Smith and Jenna Ambrose; her sisters, Isabella (Nunzio) Napolitano and Domenica Carbone; and countless nieces and nephews who loved their Zia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Maria Sorice; her sister, Caroline Esposito, and her husband, Tony Esposito; her brother, Elio Sorice; and she is finally reunited with her cherished son, Joey. She is finally at peace with him.

She was celebrated at a private ceremony 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in Youngstown.

Due to the tremendous outpouring of love for Elia, our family asks for those wishing to make a tribute to her do so by donating to Angels for Animals, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or to Second Harvest Food Bank in her name.

Though her voice is now still, her love remains in every story told and in every life she touched.

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