She was born May 26, 1924, the daughter of Maurice and Maude King, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She was raised in Cambridge, and attended Cambridge Rindge and Latin High. She married Joseph James Crowley of South Boston, Massachusetts, on Sept. 7, 1945. Ethel eventually moved to Maine, and remained there until her passing.
She worked for the Ford Motor Co. in Lansing, Michigan, and Westland Shoe Co. of Biddeford, then at Shape Inc. in Biddeford for 25 years until her retirement at age 70. She loved to read and shop. She traveled extensively, seeing many parts of the country. She also had a passionate love of animals. What she enjoyed most was spending time with her children.
Ethel was preceded in death by: her husband, Joseph James Crowley Sr.; her son, Joseph James Crowley Jr.; a granddaughter, Meghan Erin Crowley; a great-grandson, Jacob Perkins Hyde; her parents, Maurice and Maude King; four brothers, Roy, John, Maurice and Billy King; and a sister, Dorothy Eon.
She is survived by: two sons, Dennis Crowley of Biddeford, and Patrick Crowley and wife Laurie of Houlton; a daughter, Margaret Crowley and partner Lewis Hyde of Lyman; and six grandchildren, Catrina Henneman of Los Angeles, California, Joseph Crowley III of Waterboro, Ryan Crowley of Charleston, South Carolina, Melisa Elson and husband Scott of Saco, Maggie Crowley of Houlton, and Ethan Hyde of Waterboro.
Ethel’s last gift of love was her wish to be an anatomical donor to enhance medical research at the University of New England Medical School. There will be no services or calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the American Humane Association for Animals. This was a charity to which she donated for years.
The family would like to extend its gratitude to Southern Maine Medical Center and Dr. Andrew Candolore and his wife, Jane, for the outstanding medical care they provided. Their dedication and compassion will be remembered forever.
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