Obituary for Ethel Marie Ferris Ethel, born May 3, 1918, in Portland, OR, and left the world on June 7, 2018, to join her husband of 62 years, Maurice. Ethel had just celebrated her 100th birthday with loving family and friends who will miss her amazing smile and energy. Ethel’s love of the outdoors, birds, flowers, and hiking began as she grew up along the Tualatin River on the Beef Bend Road in Tigard.
She swam in the river, picked berries, and tended the animals on the family farm along with her two brothers and younger sister. Ethel graduated in 1936 from Tigard High School and shortly afterward married Maurice Ferris, beginning a marriage that lasted more than 62 years. In the midst of the Depression, the young couple worked in agriculture jobs in the Tualatin Valley.
Later they moved to Ashwood, Oregon to work in mines. Before World War II ended, Ethel and Maurice were the proud parents of Betty and Glenn. In 1942, Ethel and Maurice bought acreage near Tualatin where they grew bountiful gardens and raspberries.
Once Ethel mastered the art of shifting a car, she took part-time jobs at the local grocery store also cooking at Dickinson’s Jam and Jelly and the grade school. By 1957, Ethel and Maurice became ardent square dancers with a group of lifelong friends who snowbirded in Mesa, Arizona for 17 years. In Mesa, Ethel led hiking groups into the Superstition Mountains, volunteered at the health center, and became an expert bird watcher and plant identifier.
She loved the activities and friendships of the retirement community. Ethel valued education. She volunteered at Tualatin Grade School and the Methodist Church, helping to raise funds for parent clubs.
Her two children, six grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren were “always” going to college. She attended every graduation from Tualatin, to Corvallis, to Boston and the Netherlands, radiantly smiling throughout the ceremonies as 13 college degrees were awarded to her family thus far with more degrees on the way. Excited to travel and see the world, Ethel packed her suitcase, bought lots of film, and set out.
Early on her trips were to fish, hike, and camp in Oregon. As her family moved around the world, she and Maurice flew to Bangkok, Thailand in 1965 to welcome their first grandson. They traveled throughout Europe visiting Greece, Italy, Germany, Scotland, and England.
Ethel waved as Queen Elizabeth motored by in Edinburgh, Scotland, and she rode in a small Corvair across the USA, and RV’ed or flew to over half the States. Living in Newberg since retirement, she loved crafting, going on excursions, playing bingo, and enjoying the friendships of assisted living residents. A consummate sweet tooth, Ethel sought out candy dishes waving and smiling as she peddled along in her “candy mobile”.
Ethel warmed the hearts of all her family and friends with her smile and kindness. Upcoming Events Memorial Service JUN 18. 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Attrell’s Funeral Chapel – Newberg 207 Villa Road Newberg, OR, US, 97132 info@attrells.com www.
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