Ethel Irene Weidinger
January 16, 1923 – September 20, 2017
Ethel Irene Weidinger, 94, a longtime San Franciscan lived a wonderful life with a great marriage of 57 years with her late husband Warren (Bob) while raising four children: Bill (Robin) of Pleasant Hill; Kay Driscoll (Paul) of Burlingame; Dave (Ann) of Diablo; Phil (Diane) of Lake Tahoe, NV; spoiling seven grandchildren: Terri Law (Ryan), Mary Irene; Chris (Shannon), Mike; Bridget Smith (Scott); Bob (Jesika), Nelle; and three great-children: Connor, Chris and Emerson and sharing her love and wisdom, sage advice and never-ending support.
Born January 16, 1923 to Ernest and Nell Timmons in Wheeling, MO, she was one of eight siblings: John, Mary, James, Lucille, Ernest Jr. (Dub), Jean – all predeceased and Bob, 84 of Iowa, who mentioned this week, “They broke the mold after Ethel Irene.” As well as her heart, she was known for common sense and humorous, memorable comments and observations that cut to the quick.
She knew from childhood she wanted to be a nurse and graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Kansas City, MO, then served her country as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Saipan during the final years of World War II caring for injured soldiers. She met her husband, a Pearl Harbor survivor and hero whose destroyer the USS Henley was awarded four battle stars, on leave in San Francisco at a cousin’s home. He had a blonde sitting on his lap so she “paid him no attention”. But later in Saipan, she started receiving letters. She didn’t know who it was until the fourth note when he enclosed a photo. Not long after the war they were married. When asked why an innocent Irish Catholic farmgirl from Missouri would make such a “rash” move, she replied, “Because he wrote one helluva letter!”
After they settled in San Francisco, she began a distinguished 32-year nursing career at St. Luke’s Hospital. In the early years, Bob would pawn his pocket watch for spending money for them to have a night out on the town, only to buy it back from the shop owner who held it for him until the next payday.
While nursing was her lifelong profession, family was always the center of her universe. Her creed, “I’ll stand by your back ‘til your belly turns blue” was always in effect for every member of the family. Her non-questioning support built confidence and reinforced her love.
The epitome of the Greatest Generation, she was principled, disciplined but kind enough to bend a few rules along the way. (She used to sneak beer and liquor to the enlisted men in Saipan “since the officers already had plenty.”) A child of The Great Depression, there’s still stuff in the house that never should have made it through the door! She was of strong faith and will, loyal, and didn’t put up with a lot of guff, yet had a tender heart for everyone. At the hospital, she was recognized as a staff leader and a compassionate and dedicated Registered Nurse.
She loved the Giants and Warriors and logged hundreds of hours in every windswept ballpark in San Francisco watching her sons play baseball growing up.
As she wanted, she passed away in her home of 62 years, in her own bed and in her sleep. A successful life well lived, full of love for family, friends and strangers along the way who needed help.The family matriarch has left behind a legacy of love. While her 94 years were a bonus, we’ll always miss her and will take her lessons of life forward to share.
Friends may visit Tuesday, September 26th, after 5pm and are invited to attend the Vigil Service 7pm at DUGGAN’S SERRA MORTUARY, 500 Westlake Ave, Daly City. A Funeral Mass celebrating Ethel’s life will be held Wednesday, September 27th, at 10am at St. Brendan Church, 29 Rockaway Ave, SF. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Colma.
For those who wish to honor her memory and in lieu of flowers – she always said, “Send them to me while I can still enjoy them”, please consider donations to: Maryknoll Society (www.MaryknollSociety.org); St. Anthony’s Dining Room (www.stanthonyssf.org); or the St. Jude Foundationwww.stjude.org/donate).