In Memory of
Ethel
Elizabeth
Sider
1933 – 2019
Obituary of Ethel Elizabeth Sider
Ethel Elizabeth Sider (nee Musser), 85 completed her earthly journey this Easter long weekend, passing away 20th April, 2019 peacefully at home, in her sleep.
Born to Laura and Eber Musser, 1 May 1933, in a farmhouse near Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Her life’s path would take her a long way from the farms of her childhood in Franklin County. After training as a nurse at Harrisburg General Hospital, Ethel moved from home permanently, leaving to further her studies at Messiah College(B.Sc.), where she met John, her husband of 59 years.
While Ethel and John created many homes for their family over the years, they never owned a home of their own. Ethel would say that ‘the whole world is my home’. In chronological order, she and John lived in New Mexico; Bihar, India; Norfolk County, Ontario; Antigua, Guatemala; Mexico City, Mexico; Uttar Pradesh, India; Wainfleet, Ontario and finally Oakville, Ontario.
Ethel grew up speaking ‘Pennsylvania’ English, learned Hindi, taught herself ‘Ontario’ English, learned Spanish and in later years struggled to learn ‘Millennial’ English in order to communicate with her eleven grandchildren. The only language that really stumped her was ‘Computer’ English which she was almost proud to say she never tried to learn. The closest she got were hand written notes delivered to the Church office to be emailed or reluctantly accepting the use of one of the next generation’s “Skype Machines” which she used to keep up with her family around the world.
Ethel was forever a learner and an adventurer. While anyone that knew her would agree that she was never really comfortable in a crowded market in India or on a crowded subway in Mexico City or flying in an airplane or for that matter even driving in car on the QEW or the Hwy 401, she never let these challenges stop her from seeing her world, exploring a fuller life and embracing richer experiences.
Ethel was a teacher and mentor. Although never formally trained as a teacher, there are many who sat through her Sunday School classes that left challenged and inspired not just by the content but also by the way she had learned to communicate her ideas.
Ethel loved music and bought a piano with her first nursing pay cheque. While she struggled to find her own musical voice and never considered herself very good at it, she passed on her passion to her children and grandchildren. Her piano still sits in the Reimer’s den.
Ethel and John prayed daily for their immediate family and friends as well as their extended family that reached around the world. Ethel’s prayer list not included names that were familiar and close to home but also names she had trouble pronouncing that had become familiar through her years of service with John as a part of the BIC World Missions.
Ethel is survived by her husband, John, sisters-in-law, Anna Musser and Pat Musser, a brother Bill(Ruth), three children Anna Winger(Darrell), Mark(Jane) and Jennie Reimer(Terry) as well a rambunctious, loving gang of fourteen grandchildren and a super special great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her grandson Zachary Winger, two brothers, Ron and Charles and two nephews.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday and a funeral service on Wednesday both at the Wainfleet, Be in Christ Church.
In lieu of flowers, guests are invited to make a donation toward the BIC Canada Global (formerly BIC World Missions).
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ethel
Elizabeth
Sider 1933 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Dunnville, Province: Ontario