Ethel Irene (Conner) Williams Packo
Born June 3, 1923
Ethel Irene (Conner) Williams Packo, 92, died peacefully after a short illness on Sunday, October 11, 2015. She is now safe in the arms of Jesus along with loved ones who have passed on before her.
She was born on Sunday, June 3, 1923 in Wilmington, Delaware to the late George A. and Ethel L. (Young) Conner. She was a life-long resident of New Castle County, Delaware. Ethel came to live with her daughter in Indiana three years ago. She was also preceded in death in 2009 by her husband, Paul F. Packo. Her husband was a professional musician and a small business owner. Her first husband, Paul Thomas Williams, died in 1964. He was a World War II prisoner-of-war and suffered all his life from injuries of war until his death. Ethel’s sister, Mary Jane Conner, passed away when she was a child.
She retired from Sears Warehouse when she was 62 years old.
She is survived by her son, George Thomas Williams of Delaware, daughter, Judith Irene Asmus of Indiana, stepdaughter, Lynnette Packo Bowers of Delaware, stepdaughter, Michelle Packo Coykendall of Oregon, and stepdaughter, Sue Ann Packo Johnson of California. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Saturday morning, October 17, 2015, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a visitation for family and friends will be held from 9 am until 10 am. Interment will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, 3300 Lancaster Ave, Wilmington, DE 19805.
Shelley Coykendall
I was thinking about mom-mom Ethel today when I purchased bacon at the store. She was the first person who showed me it would last longer if you wrapped each piece separately, wrapped in foil in the freezer. A simple thing, but something that always reminds me of her. There are a lot of little moments of memories of that; like the way she sang when dad played his accordion, her making things nice and tidy for us in the house when we visited; the times together; many, many cherished memories! My life has been enriched knowing her for so many years, and she will always have a special place in my heart not only as step-mom, but “mom-mom”. I will deeply miss her and our many recent telephone conversations before her illness. I find comfort that she is now with dad, at peace, and in the arms of Jesus.
Linette Bowers
I think that Shelley has said it all. I know that she is in a great place with Jesus now. My father was extremely blessed to have Ethel as his wife. Like Shelley, I will miss picking up the telephone and calling her like I did before her illness. It is the end of an era.
James and Carol Hardin
Thoughts and prayers to all of you in these difficult times!
Butch & Barbara Conner
Many memorable times going way back with Aunt Ethel and Uncle George. Ethel, Tommy and Paul. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this trying time.
SueAnne K. Packo Johnson
Ethel mom-mom will now need to remain in our hearts forever as she will be sadly missed. As sister Lin said an era has ended. For Ethel to be part of my life when I was so little was a blessing. With the holidays soon upon us I will continue to remember my special memory. The first time I heard the song Jingle Bell Rock it was in the 60’s on the radio. Ethel sang it to me and we rocked out together . I would grow up to learn from her. Watching her relate to anyone at any age. I didn’t matter if you were 3 or 103 yrs. old- she could have a conversation with you. I enjoy carrying that lesson on with me. Thank you Ethel for being part of my life, my family’s life, and most importantly my dads life. Now you can be with the Lord and ” your honey.” ❤️
Judy Asmus
Thank you for your comments. I count it a privilege to have spent the last few years with her. Since most of my life I lived away from Delaware, it was nice for my children and grandchildren to have a relationship with her that they missed for all those years. Of course, now they are much more sad since they got to know her and love her so much. I am especially glad that she is safe in the arms of Jesus now because she lived so much of her life in fear and worry. She is at peace and rest now. That is the biggest blessing to me though I miss her and my heart aches to see her again….but soon will. I whispered to her just before she passed “save a seat for me, Mommy.” And, I know she will.