Ethel Mae Rayner passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 10th, 2025. Recently, one of her nieces shared the following thought: "Ethel had the perfect blend of tenacity, zest for life, and no-holds-barred determination to live life her way”. To say she was spirited is an understatement. Ethel was a hard worker her entire life. She was part of LPH/NRC for many years and worked her way up through various positions. However, it was later on in life when she was most happy owning her own clothing and flower store where she worked alongside her daughter Donna for many years. Even when Ethel "retired" she kept herself busy working part-time at the info kiosk at Intercity Shopping Centre and always came home with the best stories.
Ethel would tell you about her three daughters: Tammy Wylie (Tony Kukula), Karen Wylie (Norm Herie), and Donna Maybroda, as well as her two grandchildren Jodene Wylie and Brennan Herie (Kayla Lajoie). We are a close family and we always had “Forced Family Fun” during our group grocery shopping trips, family vacations, and other activities. Ethel had great love for her extended family including her cousins (especially her longtime friend Roslyn) and she enjoyed the company of her nieces and nephews (in particular the Sved girls who surprised her by beautifying her favourite place - her outdoor deck). Ethel had many lifelong friends: Mary, Darlene, and Irene who were her friends from grade school right up to the current day and later on she held close friendships with Norma, Phyllis, Marlene, Linda, and Sylvia - all of these friendships extended for many many decades. Mary can tell you all about their many adventures. In addition, Ethel was part of the lunch crew from the LPH/NRC that we think was in place for over 30 years. Not many people can stay connected with friends for so many years but Ethel would proudly tell you about their recent lunch gatherings.
She loved Richard and they had great fun travelling throughout Canada and the US together and spending time with one another. She loved to sit on her deck and enjoy the outdoors with a good book. She was deathly afraid of dogs but reluctantly became a dog-lover when cute Bandit was dropped on her doorstep one day. Tulip then stole her heart and then later Lucy became the best companion ever. She took more pictures of Lucy than the whole rest of the family. She looked forward to things like the Kentucky Derby, watching martial arts movies, and had an obsession with collecting nutcrackers.
We give our thanks to Paul Maybroda and often wonder how we could we have gotten through this time without his care and support. Ethel and our family also thank all the fantastic nurses and healthcare workers at St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, especially Dr. Kennedy and Dr. Taha that took such great care of her over the last several months. We also give our biggest thanks to our sister Donna. Not only did she take care of everything that our mother needed, but more importantly spent time with her and was her friend.
Ethel was not someone who would want a big “to-do” however one of her favourite recent events was her 80th birthday party where all her family and friends gathered. We thought that in her honour we would hold a similar celebration as a drop-in for family and friends. If you'd like to stop by the Prince Arthur Hotel on Tuesday, May 20th between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM we would love to say hello and share a cup of coffee or tea and share any memories you may have of Ethel. Our mother will be deeply missed.
Cremation has taken place and a private interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, if you choose please make a donation to the charity of your choice or make a bet on the ponies!
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
