Ethel L. (Taylor) Gordon, 86, of Acushnet, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at The Oaks in New Bedford. She was the widow of Robert Gordon, the love of her life and best friend, who passed away in December 2000. They shared a very happy 49 year marriage.
Born in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Canada on July 5, 1930, Ethel was the youngest of sixteen children born to parents William Taylor and Bessie H. (Davidson) Taylor. She is predeceased by all her siblings and her parents.
Survivors include her daughter Mary Emsley(Marc Cenerizio) of Acushnet, MA, her grandchildren, Heather Lynn Emsley of Portsmouth RI, Gregg Emsley and wife Nicole of Bluffton, SC, Marc A Cenerizio of Acushnet, and Tony(Michelle) Cenerizio of Stockbridge, GA, her great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Sophia Emsley of Portsmouth, RI Alexander and Alyssa Emsley of Bluffton, SC, Amanda Cenerizio of New Bedford, and Olivia and Andrew Cenerizio of Acushnet. She had one great-great-granddaughter, Jillian Rufino of New Bedford. Ethel was a "second mother" to Diane Garceau of Seekonk, whom she loved with all her heart. She leaves her dear friend Ilia Cenerizio of Acushnet, and her life long friend and traveling companion Lorna MacNeill of Kissimmee, FL She was affectionately known as Aunt Ethel or Aunt Pinky to her many loving nieces and nephews both in the USA and Canada.
Ethel moved with her family from Nova Scotia in 1961 to South Attleboro and eventually to Attleboro, MA She relocated to Acushnet in 2006. She worked at Fernandes Supermarkets in Attleboro in the Courtesy Booth for many years. She was with that company thru many transitions and retired from SuperPlace in Attleboro in January 1994. She continued to enjoy many lifelong friendships that developed from her employment at Fernandes/SuperPlace.
Ethel enjoyed baking, sewing, needlepoint, knitting and any and all types of crafts. Her handmade sweaters, scarves and mittens were always a big hit with any lucky recipient. She was famous for her fabulous multi layered desserts, all "low calorie". She and Bob loved spending their winters in Florida playing golf, going to the beach and their summers in Millbrook then at Braeshore in Nova Scotia. In later years, Ethel returned to spending her summers on the Gordon Family Farm in Millbrook, Nova Scotia and thoroughly enjoyed her visits and reminiscing of the "good ole days" with her family and friends. Card games were always a weekly staple and brought out all the pocket change for those "high stakes" bets.
Ethel was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt and was "Nana" to all. She will be deeply missed by her friends and family, especially her dog Haystack, but has returned to be with the love of her life where, together, from above, they will watch over all of us.
In accordance with her wishes, Ethel was cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Home 495 Park Street, New Bedford, MA Family will welcome Ethel's friends and family at 10:30 AM with service at 11:30 AM. Brunch will be immediately following the service at The Harpoon Room(Ice House) 136 Huttleston Avenue, Fairhaven, MA Ethel's wishes were to have her funeral and interment with her husband in Millbrook, Nova Scotia.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ethel's memory may be made to Beacon Hospice in Fall River, MA or to The Acushnet Lions Club. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Mrs. Patricia DesChamps for her constant care and friendship, Dr. Alan Weinshel and staff for many years of wonderful care, the staff of Maplewood and Elmwood of The Oaks for their outstanding care since Mom's fall and the exceptional staff of Beacon Hospice for their support and compassionate assistance in making the most difficult of times a very dignified and peaceful passing for Mom/Nana. God Bless you all.