Obituaries/Notices
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ETHEL ROSEBOROUGH (nee TIBBO)
While holding the hand of her one-and-only, Art, comforted by David and Linda
and serenaded by Elvis, our beloved Ethel died peacefully at home
the morning of December 29, 2016.
Daughter of the late Captain Earl Tibbo Sr. and Hilda Ann (Rose) Tibbo,
Ethel was born on July 3, 1940,in a small fishing village in Newfoundland
and was an east-coaster through and through:
Fun loving, family oriented and kind to the core, she embodied all things good.
Our Ethel (also known as Naanee, Auntie Er, Hilda, Tinkerbell, Effie, Grace and Cheesy)
made everyone feel special with her caring concern, genuine interest and compassionate nature.
She always made you feel welcome, remembered conversations from the past and took the time to understand what was important.
She met the love of her life, Art, when she was just 14 years old and,
besides proclaiming numerous times that he was the nicest person she’d ever known,
as an added bonus he resembled her teeny-bopper (and forever) crush, Elvis Presley.
She would go on to be Art’s cherished wife for 53 years. She was a doting mother to David
(her “lovely boy”); adored mother-in-law and friend to Linda;
proud grandmother to Brock, Austyn, Iain and Jamieson;
treasured sister to brothers Gerald (Anne-Marie), David (Nancy), Daniel (Rosanne); and
dearest Auntie Er to countless nieces and nephews. Ethel was predeceased by her brothers, Earl,
George and Mackenzie (Mack) and sister, Barbara Maro, all of whom she loved and missed dearly.
With Art always by her side, Ethel had a wonderful life full of fun, laughter, smiles and family.
She lived by the belief that family wasn’t always about blood, but rather about the people in your life who wanted you in theirs.
Breaking the glass ceiling for women in banking, she was the first female branch manager for
CIBC in Toronto, where she had a long and fulfilling career and was well-loved by her employees.
Her mother would proudly introduce her with:
“This is my daughter—she’s a bank manager in Toronto.”
Wanting to spend even more time with Art, Ethel took up the game of golf
when she was 70 years youngand she embraced it whole-heartedly,
despite it frustrating her immensely.
“We’ve met so many great people,” she would say when we asked how she played.
“It’s all about having fun.”
Needless to say, we didn’t hear her brag too often about her score.
Food was one of the many ways she expressed love and she especially loved to cook for Art. While he always appreciated her efforts, occasionally after trying a new recipe he’d say, “If we had this once a year it would be good honey.”
She will be remembered for her famous chocolate layer birthday cake, Sunday night roast beef
and yorkshire pudding dinners and David’s favourite Christmas treat: graham wafer balls.
A fashionista to the core, Ethel didn’t walk to the mailbox unless fully accessorized top to bottom.
She adored all things pretty, sparkly and girlie. In fact, Art would often find her in her closet “playing” with her jewellery.
She was the coolest, funnest, most loving mac’n cheese making grandma that her grandkids
could ever have hoped for. Some of Ethel’s fondest memories were times spent
with Brock and Austyn as youngsters at their cottage in Coe Hill.
Sandcastles on the beach and campfires at night, the family cottage will always be home.
When David met Linda in 2002, Ethel would fully and completely welcome
Linda’s sons Iain and Jamieson into her home and heart as her grandchildren too.
We wish to extend heartfelt thanks to the Prince Edward Family Health and Palliative Care Team,
who provided outstandingly compassionate care.
Ethel would especially want to give extra-tight hugs to
Dr. Colby (because he’s so kind), Heather Campbell (because she’s so lovely inside and out)
and Brad Gunn (because he’s cute, cool AND wears cowboy boots!).
The personal service workers have become a part of our family and we will miss
their caring presence in our home. And we would be remiss without thanking
Gerald and Anne-Marie for their unwavering love and support.
In lieu of flowers, Ethel’s family would like to ensure that everyone has the
opportunity to die in a caring and loving environment and asks that you consider
making a donation to Hospice Prince Edward.
A visitation will be held at
Ainsworth Funeral Home, 288 Noxon Avenue, Wellington
on Monday January 2, 2017 from 1-3 pm and 6-8 pm.
At Ethel’s request, a Ceremony of Remembrance will be held in the early spring.
To know Ethel was to love her. As Elvis sang, “I can’t help falling in love with you”
– and we couldn’t help falling in love with her either.
Memorial Donations to Hospice Prince Edward may be made by cheque
payable to Hospice Prince Edward and mailed to
Hospice Prince Edward, 40 Downes Avenue, Picton, ON K0K 2T0