Ethel M. Ireland

Ireland, Ethel M., 87, August 28, 2009.  Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home, Island Falls.  Interment to be held in the Elmwood Cemetery, Guilford.
    HOULTON and ISLAND FALLS – Ethel M. Ireland, 87, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Aug. 28, 2009. She was born Dec. 30, 1921, in Guilford, the daughter of Manson C. and Maude (Almon) Prescott.
    She was educated in Guilford schools and attended the University of Maine, Orono, from 1941 to 1942. She then transferred to Perry Kindergarten Normal School, Boston, and graduated with a kindergarten teaching certificate in 1943. She taught kindergarten for six years in Waterville and Bangor, and she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Maine, Orono, during that time. She then attended Columbia Bible College in South Carolina for one year, after which she taught in a Christian school in Richmond, Va., for six years. After this, she responded to God's call to serve with Unevangelized Fields Mission, teaching missionary children in Brazil from 1957 to 1967. She returned to the U.S. in 1967 to marry the Rev. Ernest Ireland, whose first wife, Ethel's youngest sister, Joyce, died while giving birth to their fourth child, Debbie. She became Debbie's mom, a pastor's wife and aunt/stepmom to Dennis, Donna and Dale, all at the same time. Though this was a daunting task, she unconditionally loved the children as if they were her own. She also loved and cared for Ernie through the ups and downs of ministry and his deteriorating health due to post-polio syndrome. She cherished all her children and grandchildren, and created many wonderful memories for all of them. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Ernest; her brother, Francis; and her sister, Joyce. She is survived by her sisters, Madolyn Vincent of Houlton, and Norma and her husband, Kendrick Dorman, of Thomaston; her children, Dennis Ireland and his wife, Sandy, of Clinton, Miss., Donna Walker and her husband, Warren, of Island Falls, Dale Ireland of Bangor and Debbie Ackerson and her husband, James, of Presque Isle; her grandchildren, Jessica Walker, Janna (Walker) Webb and Benjamin Walker, Jeremy, Joshua, Peter and Timothy Ireland, Jordan and Brittany Ireland, and Nathan, Kristin, Laurin and Erin Ackerson; great-grandchildren, Kacy and Brianne Daggett, Lillie Ireland and Derek Webb; many nieces and nephews.
    Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, and 9-10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at Island Falls United Baptist Church, where funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Phelps officiating. Interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery, Guilford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospital Chaplaincy, 2912 Western Ave., Newburgh, ME 04444 or United Baptist Church, P.O. Box 6, Island Falls, ME 04747. Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home, Island Falls.