Ethel Ruth Richardson

1921 - 2017

Richardson, Ethel R.
Ethel R. Richardson at age 95, passed away peacefully January 15, 2017. Ethel lived a long and happy life. She was born in 1921, in San Bernardino, California. Ethel was married to the love of her life, Merle Richardson for 62 years, Merle passed away in 2004. Ethel was also preceded in death by her only sibling, her sister Dorothy Frisbee. She is survived by her son Tom Richardson, his wife Darlene, grandchildren Wendy Williams (Nick), Wes Richardson, (Vicki), and John Richardson (Victoria) and six great grandchildren, Ellie, Josh, Maddie, Rex, Ruby, and Rhett. Ethel and Merle moved as children to Torrance, California, where they both graduated from Torrance High School. They continued to live in Torrance, California for many years, as they raised their son Tom among loving family and friends. During that time, they mostly enjoyed watching Tom playing baseball and basketball from grade school through high school and college. The family also especially loved living by the sea. In 1960, Ethel and Merle moved to Provo, Utah for 25 years, where they participated in dance clubs, joined bowling leagues and golfed, as active members of Riverside Country Club. Ethel was an avid bridge player and also engaged in many other different activities with her numerous friends. In 1985, Ethel and Merle moved to Sun City, Arizona, to be closer to their son Tom and his family. Ethel continued to bowl and golf, and to swim with her grandchildren. Ethel loved all animals, especially cats and always had one in her life and at least one on her lap. Ethel was very active during her life, and worked several jobs, helping with the war effort in the shipyards during World War II, then later as a sales associate in clothing and toy stores, but mostly she enjoyed being an efficient and loving homemaker, mother and wife. The most important part of Ethel's life was her family, who she adored. She was so very proud of her son, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and they were always on her mind. Ethel was a great cook and truly cherished hosting Sunday family dinners for countless years. In later years, she attended the Richardson family Sunday morning breakfasts, always with a huge smile on her face. Ethel was a very strong, beautiful, lovely and kind woman. She was a wonderful and very much loved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother and she will be extremely missed by her family. The family will hold a private memorial service in Phoenix, Arizona. Contributions in her name may be made to the Arizona Humane Society or Hospice of the Valley. The family extends much gratitude to Hospice of the Valley and to Approved Assisted Living, both of whom treated her with utmost care and respect. Arrangements entrusted to Sunland Mortuary.