Ethel Margaret Dobbin (Power)

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Ethel Margaret Dobbin (Power) was born in Dunville, Placentia, one of eight children of Mary and Greg Power. Her mother built and ran one of the largest poultry farms in the province and her father was a poet, satirical writer and a politician.

Certainly, Ethel inherited her father’s quick wit and was known for her blunt candour. She told it as it was and addressed every elephant in the room.  Ethel’s famous zingers were part of her charm.

She often reminisced about her school years at Marymount School in Tarrytown, New York.  She made friends there with whom she kept in contact throughout her life.  It was also where she developed her love of fashion and shopping. It would be nothing for her and sister Roberta to take a day off to check out Sak’s Fifth Avenue.

She went on to study at St. Francis Xavier University in the early 1960s where she met her lifelong friend Bobby Ashe (O’Keefe). Together, with best friend Carol Ann MacDonald (Spurrell), they embarked on a grand adventure and moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1965 for a year where they had a trail of suitors.

But Ethel always had a soft spot for Derm Dobbin, who had been similarly smitten with her when they first met as teenagers. They married in 1967 and had three children: Bradley, Gregory (Gig) and Julie.

They briefly lived in Quebec and Ontario before landing in New Brunswick where Ethel honed her love of gardening. Cars would stop and people would take walks by the house in Saint John just to admire her beautiful gardens. As she did everywhere, she developed strong friendships with the neighbours and kept in close touch over the years.

When the children were a little older, they returned home to St. John’s. The kids remember a happy childhood with family trips to Florida and visiting friends in New England and other places.

Ethel had style, grace and glamour —  and a true passion for entertaining.  Ethel and Derm became known for their famous parties on Tonbridge Place, which were the highlight of the social calendar.  They hosted everyone from close friends to business icons and politicians, including a former Prime Minister of Canada. You would often find her on the dance floor or could locate her by following her trademark laugh.

At Christmas, Tonbridge Place was transformed into a veritable winter wonderland of decoration that left both children and adults in awe —  like something out of a storybook.  She would bring extended family together to carry on what was once her mother’s annual tradition. Her wonderland took a full month to complete and was featured in magazines. One of her greatest pleasures was sourcing a rare and coveted collectable amongst a seasonal sale to add to her collection.

As the kids grew up, the house became a welcome haven for the kids and their friends. Tonbridge Place was full of teenagers and there was always a stocked fridge with special treats. Perched in the front room, Ethel knew all the friends and was not afraid to dish out pointed advice on their love lives or even how they dressed.

When she became a grandparent, Ethel fully embraced her new role as “Nana”, creating a beautiful nursery in her home for her first grandchild, Lucy. She adored her four grandchildren. She was their biggest cheerleader and there was nothing she would not do for them. She spent hours making the most incredible Christmas stockings, researching the best pajamas, costumes, and the most thoughtful presents to mark life’s milestones. She planned sleepovers and special outings. She bought them outfits for all occasions and the grandchildren remember her strict enforcement of hair bows and accessories.

Despite health challenges that kept her confined to bed in later years, she remained connected with people from all stages in her life and around the world. She was devoted to her close friends, “the Murphs” (Liz and Fred) and Betty Dobbin who visited her often, and was devasted by the recent passing of Carol Ann.

Somehow she managed to keep her thumb on the pulse of the city and current events while bedridden. She embraced social media, often posting to people’s feeds at all hours and texting directives from Kenny’s Pond. Every Christmas she would ask Brad to send a photo of the dinner table to make sure it was up to standard. She remained a perfectionist until the end, often saying: “Anything worth doing, is worth doing right!”

She kept up a special connection with all her nieces and nephews who called her Aunt Ettie, never forgot a birthday, and loved when they dropped by for a chat.  She loved a good story and a cup of a tea.

She was also generous and kind, supporting various causes. People and family in need would get unexpected help from her. She was a strong woman who faced many obstacles, but always managed a smile and her high-pitched giggle.

Derm and Ethel later separated but their bond never wavered. He relied on her savvy advice to guide him through all aspects of business and life. Until his death is 2021, they talked daily and often had dinners together. The kids always thought they might eventually find their way back together.

It is fitting that they will be buried together in the family plot at a later date this summer.

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Ethel will be missed and fondly remembered by so many.

She leaves to mourn her sons Bradley (Susanne) and Gregory; daughter Julie; grandchildren Lucy; Katie, Molly, Mason; sisters Rosemary, Roberta; brothers Greg (Mary), Gerry (Myeongheui), and Don (Michelle); her nephew Paul LeClair, who she had a close friendship; special outlaws Liz Dobbin and Betty Dobbin; as well as friends Bruce MacDonald, the “Murphs”, Emma Butler, Nancy Jane Cook, Bobby and Jay Ashe, Joan O’Connor, Sonia Godwin, Kathy Karwowski, James and Joan Hiller, as well as many members of the extended Dobbin and Power families, and a large number of dear friends, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ethel was predeceased by her husband Derm Dobbin; her parents, Mary Ellen (Crosbie) and Greg Power; her sister Gertrude; and her infant brother, Gregory.

Visitation will take place at Carnell’s Funeral Home on Saturday, June 29^th, from 6-9 pm

The funeral service will be held from the Carnell Memorial Chapel on Sunday, June 30^th at 2 pm.  The service will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend, the link is available at the top of this page.

Flowers gratefully accepted. Donations may be made to the Arthritis Society of Canada (NL Division).