Obituary of Ethel Sarah Frances Sweeney

Ethel Frances Foster Sweeney was born to the late Charles Madison Foster Sr. and Elizabeth Loretta Taylor Foster on November 10th 1922. She had a great love for the Lord and joined Him on April 12th, 2015 with loving family around her. Ethel was the youngest of thirteen children living on a farm in Meadville Pa. Ethel always said she was her father's favorite and affectionately he called her Tommy. She had an idyllic life on the farm with hay rides in late summer and sleigh rides in the winter. She often shared stories of her happy childhood with her sisters and brothers, especially her sister Edna who remained close all the days of her life. Ethel accepted the lord as child in a Baptist church and was water baptized. She learned as a teenager to trust in the lord when she lost both parents and lived for a time with the Pastor and his wife. Later she spent several years living with her older sister Ruth and her family which she really enjoyed. Ethel was a very bright student, excellent in math and even won an award for the highest score on a Latin exam. Ethel had many friends and loved to sing and dance. When she and her girlfriends put on a show of singing, dancing and a play for servicemen in the army that was where she met the late Cecil Sweeney. They were married on May 2nd, 1946 in New York City and later blessed with three daughters, Barbara, Renee and Sheila. Ethel's number one priority was her family. She insisted on family meals, beautifully served and conversation. She ensured her daughters helped cook and cleanup but always while singing. The Sweeney household was full of song morning till night. Ethel had a beautiful alto voice and sang in a choral group that performed throughout New York, even at the 1964 World's Fair. Ethel was an avid reader of John Grisham and Mary Higgins Clark. She also had varied interests from "Chiller Theater in the 70's, and monster trucks to Yankee's baseball and tennis. Her musical tastes ranged from Nat King Cole to "the three tenors". She enjoyed archery and played table tennis. One of her most memorable experiences was her trip to Amsterdam with her nephew Wayne. She loved the language and culture. Ethel kept her mind active with number and word search puzzle books.They went everywhere with her. Even at 91 years old Ethel added and multiplied numbers without a calculator. Ethel was strong, independent, wise and disciplined. She researched natural health aids, watched what she ate and exercised. She kept to do lists, was organized, always prepared and never, ever late. What a role model! Ethel was an incredibly giving woman, who was always willing to help. As a mature and Godly woman she mentored young women around her and in later years she looked after many elderly friends, even taking care of them when they were ill. She was a true and caring friend. Ethel's regular prayer was to be of help to her neighbors and make a difference in their lives. Her greatest strength was the willingness to listen and to share her faith in HIM Above with others. As a retiree she would say "Thank God I have the time". Of course she was ever caring and loving to her family. Always there to listen and always sharing wise, godly counsel. She had the rare ability of making a person feel that they were the most important to her. She was never distracted but gave her full attention, her full love. She enjoyed helping her grandchildren with their studies and taught them her favorite songs. Playing Chinese checkers and other board games was enjoyed by all. Ethel worked in department stores, dressing windows, as a sales person and in receiving. She had many close friends. Ethel had wanted to be nurse, but as you can see from her life, she achieved giving to so many others in wonderful ways. When asked about her life and any regrets she wrote "At 73, I can say maybe God didn't want that for me and with that I am at peace with myself. I have learned that the past is passed and there is nothing I can do about it, because it is a waste of time, and I AM GOING FORWARD." Wisdom, willingness to listen, and loving care that only Ethel could give will be sorely missed but at the same time with us forever in our hearts. Ethel will be missed by: daughters; Barbara Sweeney, Renee Roper and Sheila Bond. Granddaughters; Nichole Cameron, Adrienne Bond and Alexis Roper; Grandsons; Alan Bond jr, Walter Roper, Colin Roper and Brian Bond; Great-grandson; Jhaden Cameron; Son-in-Laws; Walter A. Roper and Alan B. Bond. She also leaves behind nieces and nephews and cousins, church family, extended family and friends.