September 26, 1910 - June 10, 2012
Peacefully passed away in her sleep on June 10, 2012 at Morningside/Park Vista Skilled Nursing in Fullerton, CA. at age 101.
Born, Ethel Boller Foster on September 26, 1910 in Chicago, Illinois to Rolland Clyde Foster and Zillah Gweendolyn Dodds Foster. Ethel spent her childhood in Chicago with fond memories of horseback riding in Lincoln Park along the shores of Lake Michigan with her father and working in his stockyard cattle business in Chicago.
Her family resided for many years at 7140 Princeton Avenue in Chicago and were active in the community.
She was a graduate of Chicago Parker High School and graduated from the University of Chicago in 1933 with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in Education (division of social sciences).
After graduating, Ethel was employed by the City of Chicago as a social worker serving the residents of Chicago during the Great Depression. Her passion to help those less fortunate would continue throughout her life. Ethel was an enthusiastic supporter of the HollyGrove Orphanage in Los Angeles, receiving its special recognition Angel Award and the Woman's Club of Hollywood.
She was active in her local Episcopal Church while living in Chicago, Batavia, New York and Los Angeles.
On September 23, 1937 Ethel married the love of her life, Frank (Tubby) Robinson Stafford, a recent civil engineering graduate from Northwestern University who would later become a trainmaster for the New York Central Railroad in Batavia, New York. During World War II, Tubby served as a major in the army in North Africa, Italy and Germany. During their 57 year marriage Tubby and Ethel enjoyed traveling and cruising.
In 1960, Tubby and Ethel moved to the Griffith Park area of Los Angeles, Ca. when Tubby retired from the railroad. Tubby passed away in 1994. Ethel's enjoyment of cruise ships continued on with many excursions to the Carribean, Mexico, Alaska and the Panama Canal with her sister Betty, nephews and nieces.
She always treasured her family and her many friends and neighbors.
Ethel lived a long and wonderful life and has touched us all in a special way. She will be dearly missed.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her sisters Mary Abrahamson and Pearl Philip.
Ethel is survived by her sister Zillah (Betty) Frost of Holland, Michigan.
She will be sadly missed by numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Ethel's life July 14, 2012 at 3:00PM at Forest Lawn Memorial Park located at 1712 South Glendale Avenue, Glendale, CA. 91205. Please arrive at "The Last Supper Window" by 2:30PM to participate in the procession to the niche site. Following the memorial service, family and friends are invited to the Tam O'Shanter Restaurant located at 2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. 90039.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association
