Obituary of Ethel A. Smiley

Ethel A. Smiley, 98, former Cortland area resident died June 6, 2009 in Mesa, AZ. She was born September 18, 1910 in Charlottesville, VA, the fifth child of Thomas & Alice McCloy who immigrated to America from England in April, 1900. In March of 1915, the McCloy family moved to Cortland where they purchased a farm about five miles from town. Ethel graduated from Cortland High School in 1928 and Cortland Normal School in 1931. She taught for 38 years, the last 22 years in the Webster Central School System. During these years, Ethel went to summer school and took extensive courses, and at the age of 49 received her degree. While teaching, she had articles published in The Instructor, Central Ideas, and the Scholastic Teacher. Then in 1970, she published her own book "The Squishy Cookie Cookbook." Ethel and Paul Smiley were married March 25, 1944 in Rochester NY. They bought a farm in Ontario, NY, where they lived for thirty years. When Paul's health began to fail they moved to Arizona. With only the sound of the wind blowing across the rolling hills, Ethel will be laid to rest beside her late husband of 50yrs., Paul, who predeceased her April 2, 1995. A graveside service will be held 9:30 am Friday July 10, 2009 at the Cortland Rural Cemetery. The Wright-Beard Funeral Home, Inc. is handling the arrangements. To offer condolences online, visit www.wright-beard.com