Ethel Margaret Brown's Obituary
Ethel Margaret Brown died at the age of 98 on November 25th, 2022 while residing at Arcadia Assisted Living in Gambrills Maryland. Ethel was born on March 30, 1924 in Chittenango New York to William Joseph Brown and Elma Gladys Brown (nee Ball). She was raised in Morristown Ohio, along with her older sisters, Kathleen Brown Foley and Dorothy Brown Ingoglia. She graduated from St. Clairsville High School in 1942, and matriculated in the nursing program at the hospital in Martins Ferry, Ohio, graduating in 1945. As a nurse, Ethel worked for several organizations, including the hospital in Martins Ferry Ohio, Doctors Hospital in Washington DC, the National Institutes for Health (NIH), National Capital Daycare, two stints in Africa with the Peace Corps and the Quaker organization American Friends Service Committee, and Ginger Cove in Annapolis. Ethel is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters and brothers-in-law.
With her mind and body failing, her beautiful spirit took flight to join all those loved ones in the next dimension in the wee hours of the morning of November 25th. Ethel had been living independently until five years ago after she fractured her hip. She was moved into Autumn Meadows (now Arcadia) assisted living in Gambrills Md. Ethel was comfortable and thriving there until July when she was moved to a more secure environment since her dementia had taken hold. Her adjustment to her new environment was difficult but she was then able to receive more care especially with her activities of daily living which had become challenging. Gratefully she was able to receive care from Chesapeake of the Hospice which provided her with additional support. In clearer moments she would acknowledge that she was being well cared for and content there.
Ethel was a fiercely independent and adventurous woman. She was also a nurse to her core. As a matter of fact when she was moved to her new secure home she commented to a friend “these are not my people” due to the severity of other’s disability. So she decided she would claim to be the head nurse and often wander into others rooms to check on them. This was a clever coping strategy. Ethel always needed a purpose, had a love and desire to always be learning and a drive to serve others. As a nurse she worked in numerous facilities during her career. The most memorable being her time in Africa which was her true love. She was in one of the first batches of Peace Corp volunteers from 1962 to 1964 in Tanzania where she worked with children. Then in 1969 to 1972, she returned to Africa in Nigeria during their civil war through the Quaker organization. What adventures for a 40 something single woman! Ethel’s adventures in Africa were very important to who Ethel was as an activist. She kept memories of these times alive by dedicating a room in one of her apartments to those years. She had all her beloved African artifacts displayed from masks, to wooden carved statues and beautiful photos taken of the landscape and wild life.
She loved her work with children and came back to the States working in childcare in DC. She also cared for those near and dear to her. After her sister Kathleen’s husband died she and Kathleen began to live together in Annapolis. Kathleen was a post polio survivor and had major disabilities. Ethel took on the care of her sister with great compassion and love. Those were very happy years for Ethel and Kathleen, along with their beloved dog Bitsy. It was like full circle for Ethel because she and Kathleen moved to DC together as young women starting their careers.
Ethel focused on taking good care of her body evidenced by a long life, her mind and her spirit. She practiced yoga and meditation, attended various yoga retreats, participated in sweat lodges, and even sky-dived when she was in her 60’s. For many years Ethel was a vegetarian and had a gluten free diet. She loved to walk even at the very end. The day before she died she insisted on walking to the dining room even though she was being medicated with morphine. During the 1980’s and 90’s she was an active part of a spiritual meditation group, “THE COMMUNITY”. She held on to many of the lessons learned in that group. She was a part of a WISE WOMEN’S CIRCLE for many years until she was unable to drive to Baltimore to attend but continued to remain in contact with several of its members. Ethel was also a member of STRONG WOMEN exercise circle in Annapolis and made very strong and lasting friendships. Three of the women from that group, Norma, Nancy and Gayle, have been so loving and supportive of Ethel to the very end which has been so appreciated.
Ethel loved the natural wonders of the world especially her feathered friends and a beautiful red maple tree she could view thru her bedroom window. She became a avid birdwatcher and traveled to Cape May during migration of various species. She also loved to read, especially detective mysteries and beautiful poetry. She especially loved the author Mary Oliver. She exchanged books with the women from her Strong Women’s exercise group regularly. Ethel also enjoyed opera and beautiful music of any kind - just don’t play Andrea Bocelli since in her opinion he was not the real thing!! She was very astute politically and actively supported her party of choice financially. She continued reading the Washington Post and Sunday New York Times until a few months ago. The day before she died a staff person offered her the newspaper. She thumbed thru it and said “I want to but I CAN’T”. It was definitely time to LET GO and LET GOD which gratefully occurred the following day.
Ethel was an introverted, quiet personality but her heart and soul were expansive and so was her caring and compassion for others. Her love of children, nature, beauty and all things good and holy will be remembered and missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Hospice of the Chesapeake (https://www.hospicechesapeake.org).
There will be a celebration of this beautiful, well lived, long life on January 7, 2023. Contact Bernadette Zorio for more details, text or call at 410-991-2030.
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