Ethel L. VanValen, age 101, passed away at the Beechtree Care Center in Ithaca, surrounded by her loving and devoted family.

Born April 20, 1908 in New York City, Ethel was the daughter of the late Harry F. and Ada (Andrus) Lewis. She came to the Ithaca area in 1939 from Northern New Jersey, and then to Trumansburg in 1944. Ethel was a secretary in the Music Department at Cornell University for many years until her retirement. She had been a member of the Trumansburg United Methodist Church for more than 60 years, serving as the organist for 7, and singing in the choir for more than 25. In addition to her commitment to her church, Ethel was a member of the Trumansburg Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter #479.

She is survived by her son, George (Chloe) VanValen of Trumansburg and a daughter, Dorothy (Robert) Scott also of Trumansburg; her grandchildren, George (Pam) VanValen, John (Gretchen) VanValen, Deborah (Tim) Gatch, Trudy (Tom) Ives, Susan (Robert)  Vasaturo and Thomas Scott, great grandchildren, Taryn, Ally, and George Ian VanValen, Katie, Jonathan, Kara Louise and Quinn VanValen,  Sarah and Nathan Gatch, Lindsay and Geoffrey Ives, Alexis and Cady Vasaturo, Robert Scott and step great grandchildren, Ryan and Aiden DeBolt and Kelli Burke. Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, George H. VanValen, by a brother, Earl Lewis and a sister Dorothy Hadley and by a daughter in law, Lisa VanValen.

The family will receive friends from 10:00am to 11:00 at the Trumansburg United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 25, 2009. A funeral service will then be held at the church, officiated by Rev. Jeff Losey.  Prayers of committal will be held at Grove Cemetery following the reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Trumansburg UMC, PO Box 628, Trumansburg, NY 14886 in Ethel’s memory.