LEWISTON — Sunday, Sept. 2, Ethel passed on to Heaven with her granddaughter, Tamara, at her side.

She was born to the late Frank Thompson and Rose St. Andrews Thompson in St. Albans, Vt. She had many happy memories of her childhood in St. Albans, with her parents and many brothers and sisters.

On May 20, 1940, Ethel married the love of her life, Bert Rueda, in St. Albans. In June of 1941, their only child, Sandra, was born. She and her family remained in Vermont until 1942, when they moved to Lewiston to raise their small family.

Ethel conducted her life with great pride, dignity and a keen sense of humor. As a “true redhead,” she was a spitfire with a sparkle in her eye and a smile that would light up a room.

For more than 60 years, she avidly played bingo in Maine and New Hampshire and won many games with her lucky number, 13. In later years, she played at Pleasant Street Bingo sitting in her lucky spot with her best friend, Millie Roberts.

She also enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas with her friends to gamble and see many celebrities throughout the years.

Ethel was the grandmother to Tamara Rueda, but also filled the role of mother since the passing of her daughter, Sandra Rueda Abbott. Ethel enjoyed spending her time and talking for hours on the phone with Tamara as she drove home from work. She also enjoyed talking about current events and politics with Tamara’s significant other, Lewis O’ Ben. The love shared by Ethel and Tamara was strong, unconditional and unbreakable, even with the passing of Ethel.

Ethel was also grandmother to Deanna Hanson of Texas and the great-grandmother of Amelia, Ansley, Avery, Alden, Alex and Aaron, all of Texas.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her many brothers and sisters, husband and daughter.

At the request of Ethel, there will not be visiting hours or a funeral service. Instead, a private celebration of life will be held at the home of Tamara in mid- October.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Ethel Rueda to St. Jude by calling 1-800-822-6344, or mailing a check to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Judge Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please include the memorial ID number: 11387904.

Ethel M. Rueda

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