Ethel Thompson

Ethel Thompson of  Grove City, Pennsylvania passed away at Orchard Manor on  May 27, 2018 at the  age of 98.

Ethel Thompson was born April 14, 1920 to Albert and Velma Palady and was the fifth of seven children. Her parents had immigrated to the United States from Hungary several years earlier. Ethel grew up in Zelienople and McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and graduated from McKeesport High School in 1939. She trained as a stenographer and found work at People’s Natural Gas Co. in Pittsburgh. She worked in the industry for many years. In 1947 she joined the McKeesport Seventh-day Adventist Church and was a dedicated member, often teaching in the children’s division. In 1978 she married Horace “Pete” Thompson and moved to N. Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. She retired from the gas company in 1982 and was happy to take up a new chapter in life. Every year Ethel would plant a large garden and when living in McKeesport she would plant many rows of zinnias around the house – a favorite flower of her mother’s. The first car she owned – and kept meticulously for years – was an early 1960’s white Chevy Nova that was a prize won by her sister Peg. Peg didn’t want to learn to drive, but Ethel did. Peg gave the car to Ethel and driving lessons were provided by her youngest brother Joe. Due to changes in health in 2009, Ethel and Pete moved to Orchard Manor in Grove City, Pennsylvania. Pete passed away in 2011 and Ethel was preceded in death by all six of her brothers and sisters. She is survived by nieces and nephews as well as stepchildren and step grandchildren. Internment took place in the Rockland Cemetery, Kennerdell, Pennsylvania. Final arrangements were provided by the Larry E. McKinley Funeral Home in Clintonville, Pennsylvania.

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