Ethel Downing Mullaly

Ethel Ailworth Downing Mullaly passed away peacefully at her residence in Exmore on May 15, 2009. She was 99. A remarkable individual, she remained independent until Easter Sunday. Mrs. Mullaly was preceded in death by her husband Franklin R. Mullaly, with whom she celebrated 63 years of marriage on February 1, 2008. Born at "Sunnyside" in Willis Wharf, she was the only child of the late Lucinda Joyce Johnson and Edward Ailworth Downing. Ethel, Miss Ettie to her friends, was raised on her father's farm in Mappsburg. A graduate of the Blackstone College for Girls and Emory & Henry, Mrs. Mullaly taught English and History at the Temperanceville School for five years and Onancock High School before obtaining a degree in library science from William & Mary. She furthered her studies at Johns Hopkins University, the University of NY at Albany, and C. W. Post College. Miss Ethel met her husband in 1944 at Camp Patrick Henry where she was librarian and he in the Army. When Frank left the service she advised him in setting up the new library at Fort Eustis. They soon moved to Springfield, Massachusetts and to Waynesburg, Pennsylvania where Ethel was society editor for the "Waynesburg Democrat Messenger" and later became high school librarian. When the Mullalys moved to Catonsville and to Elkridge, Maryland, Ethel was librarian at Howard High School in Ellicott City. Frank's career with the National Park Service took the family to Hyde Park and Oyster Bay, New York, where Ethel was an elementary school librarian; upon their return to Virginia she held the same position in Arlington before retiring in 1975. After her husband's retirement in 1981 the Mullalys returned home to Ethel's beloved Eastern Shore. Here they generously supported numerous charitable organizations and the public library while enjoying traveling abroad. Miss Ettie was a lifelong and eldest member of Painter Garrison's UMC. She also was a devoted and eldest member of the Eastern Shore chapter of the National Society Colonial Dames Seventeenth Century, having served as their 12th president. She was a long time member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Fond of both cats and books, she was a voracious reader blessed with mental acuity even in her final days. Her kindness, wit and humor will be sorely missed. In addition to her many caring friends and neighbors, Miss Ethel leaves her son F. Russell Mullaly, Jr. and his wife Diane DuBois Mullaly of Caroline County, Maryland; and Mr. Mullaly's son, James Edward Mullaly of Lighthouse Point, Florida. A private funeral service was held from the graveside of Belle Haven Cemetery Tuesday May 19, 2009 at 1:00 PM. The Rev. Judith Worthington officiated. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Eastern Shore Public Library, PO Box 360, Accomac, VA 23301, the SPCA-Eastern Shore Animal Shelter, PO Box 164, Onley, VA 23418, or Hospice of the Eastern Shore, 165 Market Street, Suite 3, Onancock, VA 23417. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com Arrangements made by Doughty Funeral Home, Exmore.