Suddenly and peacefully late Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Ethel List, beloved wife of the late Wilfred List. Loving mother and mother-in-law of Marcy, Stephen, Wendy List and Chris Willson, and Cary List and Peter Au. Dear sister of Sylvia Gross and the late William Rabinovich. Grandmother of Samara, Sarah, and Shaina and great-grandmother of Avery and Rosie. Funeral service (and celebration of Ethel's wonderful life and spirit) will be held at Holy Blossom Temple, 1950 Bathurst Street on Tuesday, February 10th at 11:30 a.m. Interment follows at Holy Blossom Memorial Park. Abbreviated Shiva Wednesday, February 11th, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at 476 Lauder Ave. Ethel was born in Montreal to immigrant parents, and raised in a working-class household in Outremont, where she shared a bed with her sister, Sylvia. But Ethel's modest upbringing didn't dampen her natural curiosity and her quest for learning. A brilliant child and an excellent student, Ethel was able to overcome many challenges, to be one of the few women, let alone Jews, to be accepted into McGill University in the 1940s, where she completed her degree in Chemistry before moving to Ottawa to start a professional career in her field. But of course love conquers all, and after meeting her husband, Wilfred on a short beach vacation, the rest was history. So, as was the expectation in the 1950s, Ethel quit her job and moved to Toronto to begin a family with her new husband. But Ethel didn't miss a beat in her new city. Between changing diapers, cooking three meals a day and catering to her family's every need, Ethel was able to find new interests and passions, becoming an accomplished choir singer - once active in no less than four organized choirs concurrently - while still finding time to volunteer for Meals on Wheels; to take an active interest in her children's education - becoming Chair of the local Home and School Association; and to learn many new hobbies and skills, including becoming an expert baker - which she put to use every weekend for Shabbat dessert; an accomplished bridge player; a green thumb - tending with joy to her large backyard garden all summer long; and a crossword puzzle fanatic - completing the most challenging New York Times Cryptic Crossword every week. Not to mention that through it all, Ethel raised four children (who became highly-accomplished adults in their own right), all the while imprinting on all of them her love of the arts, the outdoors, fitness and culture. While her family so looked forward to celebrating 100 years of her life in May, Ethel had other plans. She left us at the auspicious age of 99 years and 9 months, and the only disappointment she expressed in her final hours was that she was missing exercise class today. We will miss her dearly, but are heartened to know she was loved by all who met her, and that though she has left us, her kindness and love of life will live on in all who knew her. Ethel's love of music was second only to the love for her children. Memorial donations may be made to the Ashkenaz Foundation:
https://ashkenaz.ca/donate Published by The Globe and Mail from Feb. 10 to Feb. 14, 2026.
