SMYRNA - Ethel Marie Bendler Craig peacefully passed away Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018 at Westminster Health Center Dover surrounded by her loving family.
She was born March 28, 1923 in Wilmington, the oldest of four children of the late Russell Bendler and Evelyn Crouch Bendler. Her surviving sister, Alberta Ross lives in North Carolina.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Robert Julian Craig; and her granddaughter, Kristen Kimberly Anderson.
Ethel Marie is survived by six children, Jo Anne Sheridan and her husband John of Voorhees, N.J., R. Jerald Craig, Sr. and his wife Eunice of Dover, James D. Craig and his wife Robin of Hanover, Minn., Gayle Anderson and her husband Michael of Viera, Fla., Ronald A. Craig and Kathy Dee of Smyrna and Kimberly Burritt of Dover.
Ethel Marie was blessed with sixteen grandchildren, John Sheridan, Richard Sheridan, Stephanie Craig Dutton, Jennifer Craig Purcell, Christian Anderson, R. Jerald Craig, Jr., Kara Anderson, Courtney Stewart, Benjamin Craig, Matthew Burritt, Brandon Burritt, Erin Forest, Scott Craig, Timothy Craig, and Katelyn Richardson; as well as twenty-three great grandchildren, Jack, Olivia, Craig, Kate and Christopher Sheridan, Holly Purcell, Conor and Patrick Craig, Grace and Jack Dutton, Soleil Lucca and Hudson Stewart, Tate and Audrey Anderson, Hannah and Zachary Craig, Greyson, Cohen and Evie Forest, Lily and Juliet Burritt, and Robert and Jacob Burritt.
Ethel Marie was a mother and homemaker foremost. Her family was always the cornerstone of her life. She loved bird-watching, putting together 1000 piece puzzles, word searches and knitting. She knitted hundreds of hats for the newborns at Bay Health Medical Center.
Ethel Marie will be interred at St. Paul's Cemetery in Earlville, Md. during a private family graveside service on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018.
Contributions in her memory can be made to Westminster Village, 1175 McKee Road, Dover, Delaware 19901 or Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, 220 Continental Drive, Suite 101, Newark, Delaware 19713, as the family sincerely appreciated the compassionate care provided by the nursing staff.
Condolence letters may be sent by visiting www.fariesfuneralhome.com