My Mother's Life in 364 Words

Ethel Williams' graduation photo

Ethel W. Berner died Saturday, October 6, in the Rehabilitation Center of Albuquerque, where she resided since January of 1998.

Born November 14, 1914, in Tamaqua Pennsylvania, she was the fifth child—and fourth daughter—of the late Tom Fred and Tillie Mae (Malick) Williams. A 1932 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she worked  at Brobst  Bakery, Seligman’s Hardware, and Meredith’s Stationery stores before being hired by the Tamaqua School District as secretary to the high school principal, a position she held for 26 years before retiring at age 68.

Ethel had four children, seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

A member of Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, Tamaqua, since 1929, she sang alto in the senior choir and directed Children’s Day activities and plays in the ‘50s and ‘60s.  Many other church activities occupied her time before she relocated to Albuquerque in 1997. Blessed with an inquiring mind, she was a voracious reader and a wordsmith. Her favorite book was To Kill a Mockingbird.  She also enjoyed Rosamund Pilcher books and movies, crossword puzzles, and creating garments and gifts with her “million dollar” sewing machine.

Predeceased by her eldest daughter, Sally Jo (Berner) Skeath, and her former husband, Ralph E. Berner, both in 1998, and her siblings, Mildred Klein, Lanah Penzi, William A. “Buddy” Williams, and Myfanwy Swoyer, she is survived by daughters Judith Berner Jackson and Ethlyn M. Berner, both of Albuquerque, and her son, R. Thomas Berner, and his wife, Paulette L. (Vetter) Berner, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. In addition, she is survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandson in Florida, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, California, and Pennsylvania.

A memorial service will be scheduled in the Rehabilitation Center of Albuquerque. Her cremains will be returned to Tamaqua at the convenience of the family for a service in Bethany Church and burial with her parents.

In memory of Ethel, contributions can be made to Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 223 E. Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252; the activities department of Rehabilitation Center of Albuquerque, 5900 Forest Hills Drive NE, Albuquerque NM 87109; or Ambercare Hospice, 2129 Osuna Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113.

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Daniels Family Funeral Services.