Obituary
Ethel Dorothy Woolley, 82, passed away peacefully in her home in Palm Coast Florida on July 13, 2021. Ethel was born in Norwich CT, on March 31,1939 to Viola Mary Blanchette and Roland Joseph Boileau.
Ethel was preceded in death by her adoring husband Joseph Woolley, son Donald Woolley and sisters, Elaine, Paula, Pauline, and brother Roland.
Ethel loved country music and dancing with her sweetheart Joe, and her many beloved friends who shared her love of dancing and country music.
Ethel was one of the first employees of Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Ledyard CT, opened by the then newly federally recognized Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. As a Hospitality Associate, she was recognized many times and received several awards for her dedicated service and excellence.
Soon after her move to Palm Coast FL, she walked the beach every morning and met many a fellow beachcomber with whom she made fast and dear friends. Her expansive shell collection speaks to her commitment to those daily, morning walks. Ethel was a dedicated community member, volunteering annually at the local elementary schools Santa’s Workshop to help children find gifts for their loved ones. Ethel volunteered as a Flagler Auditorium usher for the many plays put on by students and travelling troupes. She was one of the first volunteers for Gamble Rogers/North Peninsula State Parks annual Turtle Patrol, monitoring hatchlings and their precarious walk to open ocean. One of her most beloved affiliations was with the Flagler Audubon Society where she served as a Board Member and met many a kindred spirit. She took pride in assisting with annual Christmas Bird Counts, Shorebird Surveys, Eagle Watch, and State Park Bird & Wildlife Surveys. Ethel participated in many bird watching excursions locally and throughout the state of Florida with the Flagler Audubon Society and her many birding friends.
Her most beloved roles however was that of Grandma and Great-grandma or Gigi as she was lovingly called. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and the apple of her eye; her great grandchildren sent her over the moon. To say they made her happy and proud is quite the understatement.
Ethel is survived by her daughter Susan Moore, granddaughters Janelle and Jasmine, great granddaughter Juliana, and great-grandsons, Joseph, Jackson and James, numerous nieces, and nephews, and many adoring friends and family.
A private graveside service is planned in Connecticut. A Florida memorial will be held in the near future.
I’m so happy you are with Dad. He can play his guitar and sing for his sweetheart again, and you both are dancing your boots off I bet.
It was an honor to care for you in the last years of your life. I hope it made up for the distance we had through the years. I’d like to think it did. I do credit my nursing education and experience for allowing me the confidence to give you the level of care you needed while also providing the compassion and dignity you so deserved. Thank you for your help during my nursing journey.
Your illness stole your independence and I hope our daily walks and drives brought you peace and comfort. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about all the types of birds and the nightly trips to the rookery. I have lots of pictures of your tree. Somehow, I became a gourmet cook while with you, and for the life of me, I can’t cook anything like I did then. It was fun while it lasted, and I know you loved your 5-star meals-low sodium and all.
Mom, I know you saw this past year’s great difficulties, and I have felt you with me. I know you understand and I’m happy and relieved to finally honor you.
There must have been quite the crowd to greet you with Dad and Don up front and center. I’m sure you are dancing the night away and are the life of the party. I bet you are breathing that sweet, heavenly air, effortlessly with relief and appreciation. Because of you, I do not take breathing for granted I appreciate each breath, truly.
We see cardinals and know it is you and dad sends butterflies. Don hasn’t checked in so if you could tell him to send his sign, we’d appreciate it. I look for signs daily, I love and miss you bunches. Take care Mom. Love, Sue