Ethel Forlifer

Ethel Forlifer, 91 years old, died peacefully in her sleep at home with her son Jack. She had continued to enjoy the natural world, especially birds, surrounding her home on the Magothy River since 1963.

Daughter of George Harryman and Elizabeth Clayland Turnbull, she grew up on Bear Creek in Dundalk and in Parkville, with her brothers George (Sonny), Douglas, and Richard (Dick) and sisters Margaret [Prigel] and Mary Anne [Van Vlaanderen]. Like her mother and sisters, Ethel attended and was an active alumna of St. Mary’s Female Seminary (now St. Mary’s College of Maryland).

Ethel and William R. Forlifer (Bill) were married for 62 years until his death in 2007. Her five children are Richard (of Florida and Virginia), Linda (of Baltimore), William (Bill, of Easton), George (of Corriganville), and John (Jack, of Arnold). Gentle and always positive, Ethel (Etts, “Babe”) also nurtured nine grandchildren (Michele, Tina, Rick, Jessica, Adam, Justin, Evan, Rachel, Peter) and 16 greatgrandchildren.

Ethel loved friends from her TOPS club, where she was active as recorder and leader for 50 years. She and Bill hosted annual family reunions and shared yearly beach and forest vacations with extended family. Ethel shared her knowledge of natural history (birds, wild flowers, trees) and love of word games and puzzles. All who knew her have been blessed by her kind, joyous, open-hearted love.

Family and friends may visit on Saturday, November 17, 2018 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park, 495 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD 21146. Online condolences may be made at

www.barrancofuneralhome.com