Ethel Dorothy Speidel (nee Dunham) , 85, of Cranbrook, British Columbia, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Ethel was born on April 25, 1940, in Vancouver, British Columbia, to Harold and Dorothy Dunham. Raised in Vancouver, Ethel’s formative years were marked by a natural curiosity and a desire to care for others, she pursued a career in psychiatric nursing at Riverview in Burnaby.

Soon after beginning her career, she met the love of her life, Rod; they shared a beautiful marriage of 61 years. Their early years were spent together in Surrey, where they raised their young family while building a chicken farm business. In 1981, Ethel and her family moved to Armstrong, where they continued chicken farming until their retirement in 1991.

Throughout her retirement, Ethel found great joy in her creative pursuits—needlework, crocheting, and painting—and, most importantly, in spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In 1999, they made their way to Cranbrook, their final retirement home. These years were filled with the joys of retirement and the building of many friendships. Their time at Mica was particularly cherished, serving as a sanctuary, Ethel was truly at home in the outdoors, spending weeks at a time camping and fishing on the water. These trips were made even more special by the presence of her grandchildren; she loved sharing the magic of the lake with them, teaching them to find joy in the simple beauty of nature. Whether she was tending to a fishing line or watching them play under the B.C. sky, these were the moments when Ethel was at her happiest.