Woodsville, NH – J. Ethel (Brown) Woodard, 86, died Saturday, November 19, 2016, at her home following a courageous battle with cancer, with her family by her side.

Ethel was born in Wentworth, NH, May 11, 1930, a daughter of Frederick and Helen (Griffin) Brown.  She attended Wentworth schools and graduated from Orford High School in June 1948.

Ethel worked for the Grafton County Nursing Home for 26 years, retiring in 1993 as Personnel Director.  Following retirement she became the Assistant Librarian at the Patten North Haverhill Library, and retired from that position after 17 years in October 2011.  She then became a volunteer and a trustee at the Woodsville Free Public Library.  She was a member of the Woodsville United Methodist Church.

Ethel was a gifted seamstress and made clothing and sweaters for her daughters.  She was an avid reader and enjoyed watching golf on Sunday afternoons.  In particular, Ethel loved traveling and took many bus trips throughout the country.  She especially enjoyed going to Las Vegas.

Ethel married Darrell S. Woodard on November 23, 1951 and he predeceased her on March 18, 1991.  She was also predeceased by two sisters, Charlotte Dzeikan and Eleanor Dunklee; five brothers, Daniel Brown, James Brown, Clyde Brown, Alfred Brown, and John Brown; two nieces, Luanne Brown and Ellen Hapgood; three nephews, Larry Brown, Gregory Brown, and Michael Brown; and a niece in law, Carol Brown.

Survivors include three daughters, Kathy Woodard of Woodsville, Janet Woodard of Nashua, NH, and Darlene White and husband Frederick White, Jr., of Woodsville; two sisters, Anna Daily and husband Eugene and Virginia Avery both of Meredith, NH; a  brother, Keith Brown and wife Judith of Ashland, NH; along with several nieces and  nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews, and several cousins.

A calling hour will be on Wednesday, November 23rd, from 1 to 2 PM with the funeral service beginning at 2 PM, at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH.

Burial will follow in the Center Haverhill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Patten North Haverhill Library, c/o Debbie English, 1825 Benton Road, North Haverhill, NH 03774, or to the Woodsville Free Public Library, 14 School Lane, Woodsville, NH 03785.