Ethel McNeilly

Ethel McNeilly was born in Vegreville, Alberta in 1919. She died on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 in Hagersville, Ontario.

Uncle Dave, Ethel. In background
Mom (Jean Brown), and Ethel's son-in-law Jim

Her mother was Agnes (Lank) Kirkwood. Agnes' sister was Emma Marie Kirkwood, my grandmother. So Ethel was Grandma Brown's niece. It was a big family and there were other siblings. So my dad's Aunt Agnes when she got married became a Davis. So Ethel, who was dad's first cousin, was named Ethel Davis. She had a sister Mary (Green) who lived in Calgary and has since passed away. She also had a brother Ernest (Bud) who lived in Vegreville. He has also passed away. So Ethel was my dad's last surviving first cousin, and she was 97 years old.

She served in the RCAF during WW II. When the war started women were pressing the government to be able to serve in the war effort. So, similar to the British Women's Auxiliary Air Force, the Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force was formed. In 1942 it was renamed the RCAF Women's Division. The first WDs, 70 in number, arrived at Jarvis on 27 April 1942. Among the many jobs carried out by WD personnel, they became clerks, telephone operators, drivers, fabric workers, hairdressers, hospital assistants, instrument mechanics, parachute riggers, photographers, air photo interpreters, intelligence officers, instructors, weather observers, pharmacists, wireless operators, and Service Police. It was that work that took her from Alberta to Ontario. Ethel was a life member of RCL Branch 164, Hagersville.

Dave McNeilly joined the air force in 1942 and was based in Jarvis. Dave's dad worked at the airport and invited Ethel home for supper and that is how she and Dave met. When they married they lived on a farm in Nanticoke, with Ethel doing the farm work while Dave worked off the farm.

In 1963 they sold the farm and moved to Hagersville. Not content to stay at home, Ethel worked at the local Stedman's department store. Ethel was always doing something: knitting, sewing, baking famous Rice Krispie squares. Small pies were another achievement. Ethel was a tireless volunteer to support the Legion, the church or whatever.

Ethel worked hard, but she was a realist. When it was time for Ethel to give up her car, she did. No one had to tell her. When it was time to move out of the house to Anton Place, she did. She knew what had to be done.

Ethel lived a full life, but she was under no illusions. She knew there was a time and a season for everything.

In the words of the minister presiding at Ethel's funeral at All Saints Anglican Church, Hagersville:
"We will miss you Ethel. You will long be remembered as one of the strong women of this church that helped to sustain it."

Stay out of Aunt Ethel's way in the kitchen. Seriously.

McNeilly, Ethel Virginia. Peacefully at Anson Place, Hagersville on Wednesday, January 18, 2017. Ethel (nee Davis) McNeilly of Hagersville, in her 98th year. Wife of the late David McNeilly (1997). Beloved mother of David McNeilly and Lynn Powell of St. Catharines, Pat Pelletier and Gary Lockstein of Courtland and Lynda and Jim Myerscough of Brantford. Loving grandmother of 6 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter. Sister of the late Mary Green of Calgary and Ernest (Bud) Davis of Vegreville, AB. Ethel served in the RCAF during WW II. and was a life member of RCL Branch 164, Hagersville.