At the age of 2 she was adopted and grew up in New Haven, Conn., as Mary Castellon. Lurate married Ben Ambrose in 1939. They raised two children, Benjamin Ambrose and Jeanne Blicker, in New Haven.
In addition to raising her children, Lurate worked at Tallon Zipper Factory during World War II and later worked as a baker and giving samples in supermarkets. At the age of 41, Lurate was widowed and remarried in 1957. Her second husband, Louis Lurate, died in 1973.
She is an avid knitter, puzzle solver, reader and a music lover. Lurate also loves animals of all types and has been known to dress up in funny costumes to keep people laughing. Before macular degeneration set in, Lurate enjoyed going to casinos.
Lurate is a proud grandmother of six and great-grandmother of 10. She has been residing at Andrus on Hudson in Hastings for almost two years. Two of her grandchildren, Erik Blicker and Shannon Rooney, also live in Hastings with their families.
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