ETHEL MAY GUSTAFSON

Ethel May Gustafson, 92, of Rainycrest Long-Term Care in Fort Frances, Ont., passed away at her residence on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008.
Ethel was born July 30, 1916 in Port Arthur, Ont. She moved to Fort Frances as a very young child.
Many people were fortunate to have enjoyed Ethel’s cooking. She worked as a cook in various camps and restaurants in the area, including Atikokan, Minaki, and Fort Frances. She also had worked as a cleaning lady for the board of education, area banks, and a few homes in town.
She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, the Rose Manor Busy Bees, and the seniors’ club at the United Native Friendship Centre. Her favourite pastimes were playing Bingo, doing crafts, fishing, baking, and cooking.
Ethel had worked very hard her entire life. She retired at the age of 65 and was content in her 27 years of retirement.
Ethel is survived by her daughter-in-law, Mary-Anne Gustafson and her two grandchildren, Lena May and Linda April Gustafson, all of Toronto, Ont.
Also surviving is her sister, Annie (Milo) Olson, and brother-in-law, Ron Anderson, all of Fort Frances, Ont.; her special niece, Lorraine Ecklund of Thunder Bay, Ont.; numerous nieces and nephews; and her special friend, Shirley Payne of Fort Frances, Ont.
She was predeceased by her husband, Herb Gustafson, on March 7, 1975; her son, Herbie Charles Gustafson in 1998; her parents, Alfred Allan and Agnes Woods, and her step-mother, Veronica Allan.
She also was predeceased by her sisters, Pearl Mattson, Florence Gray, Gladys Dussome, Evora (Duckie) Crowe, Laura Boudreau, Lillian Anderson, and Elsie Davidson; and two brothers, Bob and Fred Allan.
A celebration of Ethel’s life was held Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Frances, with Pastor Brian Keffer officiating.
Interment will take place in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances at a later date.
The honourary pallbearers were all of Ethel’s nieces and nephews.
Her grandchildren, Lena and Linda, were her pride and joy. She looked forward to each and every visit with family, whether it be a simple hello or a long conversation.
Ethel lived her life as a lady and a true Christian. Her dedication to family, friends, and God was something to be proud of and inspired all who knew her.
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years.”
In memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.mem.com