Ethel Helena Raney (Packard)

February 27, 1905 — May 12, 2016

Ethel Helena Raney, age 111, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at her home in North Bennington, Vermont.
From her birth on February 27, 1905 to her death on Thursday she brought her family and friends much joy with her endless love, smiles and sunny outlook on life. Ethel was born on her family farm in New Ashford, Massachusetts, the oldest child of Asa Packard and Ellen White. She was delivered by her Grandmother, Olive White, at home which would mark her favorite place to be " at home surrounded by family and taking great care of loved ones.
Always energetic and full of life, Ethel loved to dance and caught the eye of William Raney from Sandgate, Vermont at a square dance. They were married on May 13, 1934 in Hoosick Falls, New York. William was a long time employee of Weedens Tannery in North Adams, MA and the two went on to settle their home and family in New Ashford, Massachusetts. Together they operated a family farm and had seven children.
Ethel lived through the women's suffragette movement and remembered the first time she was able to cast her ballot to vote in an election. A full life lived, Ethel was a homemaker, farmer, and caretaker to many of her nieces, nephews, neighborhood children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also developed a love of cooking while doing prep work in the kitchen at Springs Restaurant in New Ashford. Some of her many interests included crocheting afghans and doll clothes, gardening, going on walks in the neighborhood, visiting with company and baking for family.
Ethel also had many pets throughout her life and loved taking care of animals. She was an avid letter writer, enjoyed designing handmade cards and loved receiving mail in return " she would often exclaim about how far a letter had traveled by noticing the stamp's origin " "oh how far it's come!" She liked to share her cards and photos with friends, always wanting to bring joy and happiness to others.
Fondly known as "Gram" or "Grandma Grandma", Ethel lived with her youngest daughter Martha, and Martha's husband Tom Paquin with their family for 32 years in North Bennington, Vermont.
She was predeceased by her husband, her seven siblings, Ernest, Herbert, Marion, Clifford, Roland, Clara and Gerald, five of her children, William Jr., Elsie and her husband Juan Serrano, Catherine and her husband Chuck Newton, Ralph, and Arthur, and a daughter-in-law Etta Raney.
Ethel is survived by two of her children, Arnold Raney and Martha Paquin, as well as a daughter-in-law, Kathy Raney. She is also survived by a close cousin, Cecile Love who will be 101 in June, and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, dear friends and her puppy Davika.
Her secrets to a long, happy life were always forgiveness, positivity, and love of family. Ethel will be remembered for her smile and as a bright shining light by all who knew her.
Memorial services celebrating the life of Ethel Raney will be held from the Mahar & Son Funeral Home in Bennington on Monday, May 16, 2016 at 12:00 noon with Rev. Robert Wiseman, c.s.c., pastor of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in North Bennington officiating
Calling hours will be held at the funeral home Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery in North Bennington.
Should friends desire, donations in Ethel's memory may be made to Second Chance Animal Shelter, P. O. Box 620, Shaftsbury, VT 05262
Guestbook condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net.

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Past Services

First Visitation

Monday, May 16, 2016

10:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)

E. P. Mahar and Son Funeral Home

628 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201

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