Ethel Cosden Evans, 101

LADY LAKE, Fla. - Ethel Cosden Evans, also known as Ethel Hazelton, died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, after a short illness in Lake Mary Rehab Center, Lake Mary.She was 101.

She was born in Hazlettville, Del. on Feb. 6, 1906, and lived in Dover, Del. and Ramrod Key, before moving to Lady Lake.

Ethel graduated from Caesar Rodney High School in Camden, Del., and received her bachelor's degree in 1926 from Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Va.

She was co-owner of Cosden-Evans Co. in Dover, founded in 1932.

Ethel was one of the first licensed woman airplane pilots in the U.S. and was active in the Civil Air Patrol during World War II.

She was a charter member and president of Women for Better Government for the state of Delaware, past president and life member of Soroptimist International, charter member of American Association of University Women, on the Chamber of Commerce Board for the Lower Keys, and was the longest active member before moving to Lady Lake.

She was an honorary Key West Conch, life member of the Ecurie Vitesse Sports Car Club (Key West), member of the Methodist Church, elected to AARP Silver Haired Legislature in both Monroe and Lake counties, and president of the Keys Chapter.

She is survived by her two children, Philip Evans of Hickory, N.C. and Eileen Lockwood of Dover and their spouses; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Burial of ashes will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden at a later date.

Arrangements by Page-Theus Funeral Home.