Obituary of Ethel Lillian Hamilton

Obituary of Ethel Lillian Hamilton

On this date, January 28, 2026, Ethel Lillian Hamilton ne Grieve quietly entered into eternal rest. This was consistent with her quiet and shy nature. Having entered this world on February 5, 1931, she lived a full and complete life in good health until just the last three years.

Ethel grew up in the Village of Harvey Station in York County being the second oldest of eight siblings in the Oswald and Velma Grieve household. She received her primary education in Harvey but spent one year attending McAdam High School while the new school in Harvey was constructed. She graduated along with her older sister, Muriel in 1947 and in 1948 graduated from Teachers College. She taught in a one room school in York Mills from 1948–49. In 1950 she decided to change course and enrolled in Nursing School at the Victoria Public Hospital in Fredericton. During this time she met the man of her life, John (Jack) Hamilton and they married on November 12, 1952. She transitioned into the challenge of home making having two Sons to raise. In 1968 she enrolled in part-time courses at U.N.B. and with dedication to her goal, graduated from the Bachelor of Teaching program in 1975. She then worked in a program offered by The Province at the time for special education of academically challenged children.

Ethel had a passion for her Family, diligently looking after their best interests and well being. She dearly loved her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren but her declining health interfered with her ability to fully interact the way she would have preferred. During our school years we remember waking up on Saturday mornings to the sound of Mum’s beautiful melodious voice singing as she baked.

She was an avid and successful gardener who loved to spend time nurturing dozens and dozens of tomato plants from seed to fruit. She loved to sing and was part of various church choirs over the years. Mum thoroughly enjoyed her cottage on Harvey Lake especially the potlucks with her siblings. She was raised in the United Church but in her adult years attended the Wesley Church and after Dad’s passing the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

She lived in the original home Dad constructed in 1953 until 2023 when a sudden change in her physical condition necessitated her move to Windsor Court in 2023. This turned out to be a good fit for her needs and the Hamilton Family want the care staff at Windsor Court to know how much they appreciated and valued the care and kindness that the Staff demonstrated toward Mum for over two years. Thank you so much.

We would also like to acknowledge the thoughtfulness and kindness of Gyula Kajarie for his regular and generous visits. Mum really appreciated those special visits and the treats he brought to her. We later found a diary of Mum’s that recorded all who visited her. She really never did forget and valued all who came to see her.

Pre-deceased by her husband of 58 years John (Jack) Eastman Hamilton, Ethel leaves behind her two Sons, Clark (Colleen) and Kent (Terri) as well as Her Grandchildren Laura Dooley (Jarred) and Lily Hamilton (Giesle) and Great Grandchildren Pepper and Poesy Dooley. She is also survived by her Sisters, Muriel Goodine, Phyllis McEwen (Bill), Carolyn Drake (Nigel) and Nancy Watters. She was predeceased by her Parents, John Oswald Colburn and Velma Lillian Grieve (Coffey) as well as her siblings Murray Grieve, Earl Grieve and Evelyn Wishart.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton, from 4 – 6 pm. Interment will take place at a later date in the Acton Cemetery.  For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com