Vernon Obituary: Ethel Harrison, 79

Ethel L. McLain Harrison, 79, beloved wife of the late William J. Harrison Sr. passed away peacefully May 19, 2018 after a brief but courageous battle with lung cancer.

Ethel was born on June 22, 1938 in Hartford, the daughter of late Albert G. and Dorothy L. Colvin McLain. Her mother passed away when Ethel was only 7 months old. She and her father then lived with his sister Catherine and her husband Michael Kowalchik in Elmwood. Catherine and Michael would have two children, Carol (1940) and Michael Jr. (1942), who were considered siblings.

In 1949 the family moved to Cobalt. Ethel graduated from East Hampton HS in 1956 and later from The University of Connecticut in 1960. She was employed as a social worker for the State of CT from 1960-1966.

In 1964 Ethel married the love of her life, William J. Harrison. They lived in East Hartford until moving to Vernon in November of 1966. In that same year she became a stay at home mother, going on to raise 6 children.

Ethel was an avid New York Yankees, New England Patriots, and UConn Huskies fan. She enjoyed watching and playing with her grandchildren. In particular, she loved watching them play baseball and soccer, and she attended all of their school concerts and shows.

Ethel enjoyed reading books and her weekly visits to Rockville Public Library. She loved playing “Words with Friends”, gardening, baking and cooking. Ethel was a member of the First Congregational Church of Vernon since 1970.

Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sister Carol K. Johnson. Ethel leaves behind her six children: William Jr. and wife Carol of NJ; Mark of NC; Scott and wife Jill of South Windsor, Todd and wife Lisbeth of Vernon, Jeffrey and wife Jessie of NH, and Megan and husband Dru Brock of CA. She also leaves 7 grandchildren: Emily, Tristan, Rielly, Liam, McKenzie, Sarah and Lilian. She also leaves her brother Michael and wife Connie in FL. She also leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Her family will always cherish the memories of family birthdays and holiday gatherings.

Calling hours are from 4-7 on Thursday, May 24, 2018, and a Memorial Celebration will follow immediately after 7 p.m., at the Ladd Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home at 551 Talcottville Rd. (Route 83), Vernon. Family and friends are invited to a gathering following the celebration at 19 Blue Ridge Drive in Vernon.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Rockville Public Library.

Please visit us at www.carmonfuneralhome.com for online condolences and guest book.