SKOWHEGAN—Merlene J. Ambulos passed away peacefully on August 30, 2024, in the comfort of her home with her loving family by her side. She was the beloved wife of Nicholas P. Ambulos. Merlene was born in Skowhegan, Maine, daughter of late Chester and Joan McKay. Growing up she attended West Forks Elementary School in West Forks, Maine, Bingham High School in Bingham, Maine and the Higgins Classical Institute in Charleston, Maine. Over the years, she held many jobs. One of the earliest being at Pierce Pond Camps where she cooked for many. Later she worked in the shoe shop as a stitcher at Dexter Shoe, as a bank teller at Key Bank, and as an office clerk at Caswell's Liquidation Center. Her favorite job was as a custodian at the Skowhegan Public Library. She remained there for many years until her retirement. Merlene met and married the love of her life Nicholas P. Ambulos in 1986. Nicholas nicknamed her "little mother" and it stayed with her through the years. They were blessed with eight children, all of whom filled her with great pride. Being West Forks born and raised, she had a great love for the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and camping, which she shared with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She turned her Connecticut husband into a true Maine outdoorsman. They purchased a camp in Brighton, Maine, where they spent many years building memories with their family; especially in the winter when they loved to ride snowmobiles. All her children and grandchildren have such fond memories at this camp, building a love for the Maine outdoors. She also loved feeding her birds, gardening, cooking, tole painting, sewing, and crafting. This past year for Christmas, she made twenty-seven homemade blankets for her great-grandchildren, which they will treasure forever. Nicholas and Little Mother worked together to make many gifts that their family and others will always hold dear to their hearts. Little Mother lived life to the fullest and took advantage of all life presented to her. Times were not always easy, but she taught her children to be strong and resilient. She instilled strong family values and loved all her children beyond measure. She had a caring heart and gave all she had to those fortunate enough to be loved by her. She is survived by her daughters, Sandra Nye, Cheryl Knowles (Timothy), Holly Shaw (Thomas), Bobbi Jo Marshall (Jamie), and her sons, Nicholas Ambulos, Jr. and Dana Fortin (Patricia), and son-in-laws, Daniel Gray and Wayne McGowan; 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren; her special little sister Terry Violette (William), sister-in-law Danielle McKay; along with many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her family, Merlene left countless friends she made over the years. She was predeceased by her "sweetie," Nicholas P. Ambulos, her daughters Kim Gray and Heather McGowan, son-in-law Ronald Nye, her parents Joan and Chester McKay, her sister Mona Stromberg, her brothers William McKay (Brenda) and Randon McKay. As her family we can find comfort knowing that as many of us as there are in this life that truly love her, there are as many that truly love her waiting at heaven's gates. Merlene left a poem for her children, I Am With You Still I give you this one thought to keep I am with you still—do not weep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in the mornings hush, I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not think of me as gone— I am with you still—in each new dawn. The family would like to thank Dr. Loraine Paradis for her excellent care over the years. We would also like to thank Beacon Hospice for helping us carry out our mother's wishes. We could not have done it without them. At her request, a private service for immediate family only will be held. Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott's Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan ME 04976.