Ethel Patricia McGill

Ethel was born to James and Nettie Barr in the St. Johns community of Portland. She was the elder sister of Betty and Gwendolyn and had an older brother, Mossom, and a younger brother, James Donald. The siblings all preceded her in passing. She attended George Grade School and graduated from Roosevelt High in 1933. She married Donald McGill in 1936. While they moved to Beaverton in 1974, they continued to be active in the St. Johns community.

Donald was owner of St. John Hardware founded by his father, Charles S. McGill, in 1908. Ethel worked in the family business over the years along with several of her children. She was active in the community and her church, having been a member of the St. Johns Christian Church since she was 10. She was on the Election Board, active in PTA, the St. Johns Heritage, and twice, she and Don were Grand Marshals of the annual St. Johns Parade. Don passed away at age 95 in June 2010 after a brief illness. They enjoyed a lifetime of trips to the Oregon and Washington coasts, many cruises throughout the world, rail and car trips throughout the US. Ethel celebrated her 100th birthday in April 2015 in Beaverton with family and friends.

Ethel and Don had one daughter, Pamela Van Laeken (Richard, deceased), and three sons, Don Jr. (Jimmie), Robert, and Patrick. The children all live in the greater Portland area. She had three granddaughters, Kristan Thorne (Mike), Megan McGill, and Kelley McGill; two step-grandchildren, Brad and Brenda Van Laeken; on step-great-grandchild, Ashton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home followed by private burial in Skyline Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the charity of choice.