Ethel Agnes Broccolo

On November 21, 2022, Ethel Broccolo, our beloved Aunty Het, passed away peacefully in Penticton, crossing over to the other side where she joined her parents and five siblings.

Aunty Het was a constant presence in our lives, since we were young children, taking us to see Disney movies and buying Crackerjacks for us.  She took us on car rides, including trips to the Grey Sage Museum in OK Falls, a fun excursion for a summer day. She lived with our grandmother and cared for her until Grannie died in 1992. Together, they were regular dinner guests in our family’s household. She never had children of her own so she enjoyed spoiling her numerous nieces and nephews and in later years, their children.

Family was important to Ethel and she and her siblings were a very close-knit group. No matter how far apart they lived, they all kept in touch constantly and visited each other whenever possible. The evidence is in the huge pile of family photos she left behind, chronicling countless family get-togethers.

Ethel had a career as a payroll clerk at the Aylmer Cannery and was also very involved with the Pythian Sisters, serving as their secretary for many years.  In addition to her social life with friends and visiting with family, she enjoyed gardening, curling and golf for as long as she was able. She even enjoyed playing Nintendo when given one by her great nephews.

Eventually, her own failing health forced her to move into care about ten years ago.  As it seemed the quality of her life must become diminished with the passing years, we sometimes marveled at how positive and upbeat she remained, always being friendly and interested, and never complaining, even as her days living in care became more routine.  Her adult colouring books kept her company then and she would proudly display some of her finished work when we visited. She was even teased about being the resident techie as she was always playing games on her tablet. She managed to make it through the Covid pandemic remaining blissfully unaware of the anxiety facing the rest of the world. 

Ethel was predeceased by her mother, Olive and father, Agostino, as well as siblings, Frank Broccolo (Joyce), Dick Broccolo (Dorothy), Lavina Wheeldon (Mac), Dottie Chambers (Bill) and Toby Broccolo (Birthe). She was also predeceased by nephews, Brian, Leonard and Dan and great niece, Bobbi-Jo.

Aunty Het, may you rest in peace. You were loved and will be greatly missed by all of your nieces and nephews.

Many thanks to the staff at Westview Place for your loving care these last few years. Ethel was very happy and comfortable there and always spoke highly about the staff.