Mrs. Ethel May (Layman) Findlay's Obituary
June 29, 2010 at 6:35am, Ethel May Layman Findlay passed on peacefully at her home in Irvine, California. As Ethel May took her final breath here on this earth her daughter held her in her arms and her sweet face in her hands and whispered softly “I love you Moma”. Ethel May is survived by her daughter Michelle (Shalee) Smith, honorary granddaughter Elyse Hoelzle, grandson Randy Van Horn and great-granddaughters Tirza Van Horn, Victoria Van Horn, Cassie Van Horn and Lily Van Horn.Ethel May was born in Kilmaronic, VA, July 2, 1912 to Robie and Ethel Layman. Ethel May was named after her mother. Sixteen months later along came her little sister Dorothy. The Layman’s were a Navy family and because her father’s ship was at sea or in foreign ports much of the time the sisters spent a great deal of time with their grandparents in Bath, Maine. This is where the story goes that the sisters made mud pies and rumor has it that Ethel May made little sister Dorothy eat those mud pies.When her father’s enlistment was completed the family moved to Golconda, Illinois. They purchased a house and redecorated it, but before they could begin their new life their house was ravaged by fire. The only thing that was saved from that fire was Ethel May’s teddy bear and she took that teddy bear to heaven with her all these years later. With her father’s re-enlistment in the Navy the family moved to Norfolk, VA. At war’s end her father was discharged and in the 1920’s the family moved back to Golconda as it was a desirable environment to raise two small daughters.Ethel May graduated from Pope County High School, married young and had a son Robert Dale Van Horn. She worked for the Red Cross as a nursing volunteer during WW2. Deciding to return to school to further her education she attended Southern Illinois University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1943. She taught Science, Math and “her passions” Art and Home Economics. Ethel May took great pride in being a founding member of her sorority Phi Sigma Alpha. She attended reunions regularly and kept in contact with her sisters throughout the years.Ethel May married a Navy man David E. Findlay June 27, 1943 he shipped off to a foreign port the next day. Little by little the family made their way out west and settled in San Diego, CA in the 1950’s. Ethel May taught at several San Diego City Schools, even in a not so good district. She lived to teach, and that she did very well. She was not the Home Economics teacher that was an “easy A” she made you work for it, in her class you truly earned your grade.Ethel May retired at the age of 65 but…not ready to give up her love of teaching she continued to substitute for several years thereafter, even working at the school I attended. Once asked “given the chance to start over what would you chose to do?” Ethel May replied she’d choose teaching again because of the rewarding experience she has had. She taught for well over forty years and was recognized by her students well up into her 80’s.Ethel May began raising her granddaughter Michelle (Shalee) at the age of 55 years young. Finally, the little girl she’d always wanted. A living doll to dress up and since she was a sewing teacher, many matching outfits were made throughout the years. Ethel May was not just a grandmother to Michelle she was a mother of the most precious kind. Even though she got such a late start at the job she never let that stop her. Indian Maidens, Brownies and Girl Scouts, Rainbow Girls and Job’s Daughter’s. Summers filled with arts and craft classes, dance classes and camping groups. She was there for all.Ethel May was a member of many organizations. Order of the Easter Star, Amaranth, Woman’s Club, CHEA, International Order of the The Foresters and the Retired Teachers Association to name but a few. After her husbands passing in 1984 Ethel May began traveling the world. She was the Queen of cruises. She visited many cities in Europe, Asia and South America as well as Alaska and Hawaii and many places in the US. Ethel May had a great love of life and all it had to offer. Among her many passions were children, teaching, traveling, gardening and arts and crafts and helping others…honestly the list could go on as her passions were many.When Ethel May’s mother was in a nursing home she was a regular volunteer attending all of the events and outings. She was voted Volunteer of the year. After her mother’s passing just before her 97th birthday (Ethel May passed three days before her 98th birthday)Ethel May continued to volunteer at the nursing home for many years until moving to Orange County, CA to be near her granddaughter/daughter Michelle. Ethel May’s life in Orange County was a simple one. She lived on her own in a beautiful assisted living apartment complex for a few years. Deciding a bit more care was needed Michelle and her husband bought a house with it’s very own “mother-in-law” suite. She loved it! Being the tough cookie she was, she recovered from a broken and dislocated shoulder. Then a broken hip on another occasion where while recovering in the hospital she contracted MERSA a life threatening bacteria. She was 94 at the time. This lady was a fighter if there ever was one. And these were just the big events that could have taken her, there were smaller ones where she could have gone but didn’t. Maybe she’s just part cat, you know…9 lives? And maybe she’s just one hell of a woman…I think the latter.
What’s your fondest memory of Ethel?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ethel?
Share a story where Ethel's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ethel you’ll never forget.
How did Ethel make you smile?