Obituary of Ethel COSTLEY

It is with sadness that the family of Ethel Costley announce her passing on August 4, 2014, with family by her side at the age of 101 years. Ethel was born Feb 21, 1913, the eldest of seven children to Elsie (Hudson) and George Durnford in Vanguard, Sask. (NW ¼ section 35 in township 11, Range 10 west of 3rd). She married Delbert Costley on October 2, 1935 in the manse of the First United Church in Swift Current. Ethel was predeceased by her husband Delbert, her son Allan, a grandson- in law Bernie Bouvier and a great granddaughter, Danielle (Alix) Bahr and all of her siblings, Billy, Morley (Norma), Grace (James) Gibb, Mildred (Norman) Costley, Cecil (Edith) and Clifford. She is survived by her remaining 8 children and their spouses who will miss her deeply, Grace (Elvin) Sorensen, Myrna (Walter) Gehl, Shirley Costley, Sharon (Harry) Watson, Audrey (Jim) Kruger, Mervin (Donna) Costley, Ivan, (Lise) Costley, Marilyn (Leo) Schachtel, Gail Costley, two sisters in law, Evelyn Durnford and Jean Berg and her husband Elmer Berg. She also leaves to mourn 32 grandchildren and their spouses, 64 great grandchildren and their spouses, and 22 great-great grandchildren. Ethel graduated from Vanguard school, hoping to be a nurse but tough times in the 1930’s brought her to work for widower, Howard Arnott, helping him to raise his 6 children, before marrying Delbert Costley. Deb and Ethel raised 9 children and celebrated 61 years of marriage. Ethel’s early years roaming the prairies barefooted all summer, embedded her love and appreciation for detail in the simple things in life. For example: her love and knowledge of wildflowers, animals, and scenery which she later portrayed in her paintings; her artful sewing imagination displayed in the numerous dresses and carnival costumes that she made and her mere intelligence and survival skills when times were tough. Ethel was a dedicated and passionate farmer’s wife and was instrumental in creating the beginnings of the beautiful farm that it is today. She loved dancing and square dancing, ceramics, musical and theater arts and rarely passed on going to anything she was invited to. She loved going baseball and hockey games, and attended her last Warrior’s game in February 2014 at the age of 101 years. Ethel played a tough game of cribbage and scrabble and she loved, Loved, LOVED to read - doing so right up to her last few weeks. Mom and Dad loved travelling, even with 6 kids in the car - annual summer holidays were a must and in their retirement they travelled to many countries before becoming snowbirds in Arizona. Ethel was a member of the Bateman and Zion United Churches in Bateman and Moose Jaw, Homemakers and W.A. and was a founding member of the CCF organization. She was a cancer survivor and often counted her blessing of having raised nine healthy, community minded citizens and seeing her healthy grandchildren reach adulthood and become a caring and loving family. Because she loved children so much, donations may be made in her memory to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation for the new Pediatric area in the new Moose Jaw Regional Hospital, Moose Jaw, SK or Saskatchewan Children Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. Funeral Service was held on Sunday, August 10, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. from Zion United Church, Moose Jaw, Interment took place at the Bateman Cemetery, Bateman, SK. Online condolences can be shared at www.pichehawkinsgrondinfuneralchapels.ca. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels, Assiniboia & Gravelbourg.