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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS63_l0s5Aw
Artist, devote Christian, life adventurer and sage to a diverse many, it is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ethel Madeliene Joan Alle (nee Brown, previously Snow) on Thursday, October 5th.
Born from the salt air and the earth of Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 23, 1933, although Ethel travelled and lived broadly, she never left her Nova Scotia home. During the war years, when her father, Kingsley E Brown, was held prisoner at Stalag Luft III, Ethel moved to New England and lived with her namesake and maternal Aunt Ethel in Walpole, Massachusetts. She remained loyal to and returned to Nova Scotia every summer where for many years, with her mother, Marion G Brown (Richardson), she creatively toiled at restoring a centuries old cottage on the shores of the Northumberland Strait.
Ethel was a talented artist. Sketching, landscape painting in oils, and screen-printing accompanied her throughout most of her life. Her walls, as well as those of many family members and friends are adorned with her artwork. She was an accomplished vocalist and pianist, preferring Christian hymns in church service and while she worked. One early summer’s evening, while becalmed on St.George’s Bay, a whale breached beside their small sailboat in response to her beautiful voice.
Ethel followed her first husband’s (Rev Bailey Snow) calling into the ministry with the United Church of Canada. There she quickly and devotedly adapted to what was then seen as the role of a wife of a pastor. She worked tirelessly leading young Christian fellowship programmes; leading group reflections on what it means to lead Christian life; Bible readings and studies; and, numerous diverse fundraisers on behalf of the United Church of Canada.
Wonderfully adventurous, Ethel could take equal pleasure from a morning stroll across a meadow to explore the edge of a woodland pond as in an “around the world in eighty days tour” or a cruise upon the Baltic. She achieved all of that. Ethel adventured in life. When coyotes first arrived in Nova Scotia, she was known to sit out in the forest in the middle of the night to discern their howling calls. Her dearly loved DeGruchy neighbours gave her full credit for fearlessness.
Upon the passing of her first husband, Ethel quipped “I am settling into being alone and never cooking another meal in my entire life”. She had no idea the Lord was to introduce her to a second love and ongoing life adventure in meeting Harry Alle. Ethel and Harry wed in 2006 in Tollendale Village, Barrie and promptly set off to honeymoon in Nova Scotia. They giggled together when they secured the honeymoon suite at Halifax’s Lord Nelson Hotel. Ethel was excited to share with Harry her beloved Nova Scotia and family, and Harry humbled to revisit Pier 21 where his Canadian life and pathway to eventually meeting Ethel commenced.
Ethel is survived by her husband, Harry Alle and her younger brother, Quentin C Brown. Her baby sister Bonnie-Ann (Geddes) and older brother Kingsley (Brown) predeceased her. Ethel is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews, as well as cousins, confidantes, and friends in Nova Scotia, many of whom always knew her as “Little Ethel”. Ethel is further survived and held in love by the immensity of her Alle family spread across the country.
There are many gratitudes to express at this time of sorrow. The family would like to particularly acknowledge the love and compassionate care provided by AinoMay Binnendyk (Alle) who sensitively and competently accompanied Ethel through the last year.
If there be anything Ethel would want us to remember from her fully abundant life, it would be that “With God, very specific prayer, and a cup of tea, no problem is insurmountable nor vision impossible”.
Visitation will take place at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley St., Barrie, on Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 from 10 AM until we celebrate Ethel’s life in the Chapel at 11 AM. Following the service, guests are invited to remain for a reception luncheon in the Lounge. A private family interment will follow at a later date.
Online memories and condolences may be shared via www.steckleygooderham.com