Ethel Lillian Southworth

Ethel Lillian Southworth, 88, died Sunday, July 13, 2008, at the Genesis Eldercare in Lebanon, N.H.
She was born May 17, 1920, in Westerly, the daughter of Nelson W. and Lillian (Johnson) Himes.
She attended school in Westerly and graduated in 1938 from Westerly High School. She attended nursing school and worked for over 30 years at The Westerly Hospital.
On Jan. 16, 1943, she married James William Southworth Jr. of Pawcatuck. They lived all their married life in Pawcatuck. He died in 1983. Following her son's death in 1996, she moved to Chelsea, Vt., to be near her family. She had resided at the Genesis Eldercare since 2002.
She was very active in the Central Baptist Church in Westerly, and participated in their women's group and mission programs. She attended the United Church of Chelsea in Chelsea.
For over 40 years, she was well known for knitting Christmas stockings with names on them, and she sent them all over the world. The last stocking she made was for her youngest great-granddaughter, Ruth. She enjoyed history, traveling by car, reading and seeing historical sites.
She is survived by a daughter, Barbara S. Sweeten of Tunbridge, Vt.; a sister, Louise Farnum of Gettysburg, Pa.; four grandchildren, Kathryn McCullough of Tunbridge, N.H., Beth Rice of Enfield, N.H., Michelle Lewis of Canaan, N.H., and Cynthia Phillips of Griswold, Conn.; nine great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband; a son, James Nelson Southworth; a brother, Nelson W. Himes Jr.; and a sister, Helen Williams.
There are no public calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made the Vermont Food Bank, P.O. Box 254, South Barre, VT 05670. The Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home, Main Street, Chelsea, VT 05038 is in charge of arrangements.