Ethel M. Richardson

Our Mom, Ethel Richardson, passed away Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 11:45am in the comfort of her home. Always one to be independent and outspoken, her wishes were met on enjoying her coffee, TV, a book and her chair.

Born on November 6, 1949 to William (Bill) and Janalee (Hupp) Holland in Bloomington. She was the baby of 5 children and her siblings all treated her like she was their own, hence the nickname Sis. While young, the family lived in the back of Holland Grocery, the family grocery store in Smithville IN. The family then moved to Handy where Mom attended Smithville School, Handy School, Binford and Bloomington High School-graduating with the class of 1967.

She met Larry Richardson and enjoyed playing music and singing. For a brief time they had a band called Ethel Holland and the Blue Echoes. Ethel worked at Indiana University in the History Department and after her and Larry married, they had their firstborn, Christy Lynn. Mom continued working at the university and seven years later, their second daughter Laura Anne was born. She obtained her iconic blue IBM typewriter and started a home typing business. For many hours, the girls heard the click click click of that old typewriter late into the night typing papers for numerous professors at IU. She also typed for an author named Bernard Clayton Jr, typing his popular book “The Complete Book of Breads”. On occasion, you would hear some not so choice words when she would discover that the girls changed her font globe to hieroglyphics as well as used all of her correction ribbon. Many cups of coffee/iced tea were enjoyed during that time. She also volunteered at the girls’ schools and was always working the popular engraving booth at the school carnivals.

In 1983, her big sister Pat had her come in and work temporarily at Planned Parenthood. That turned into full time and she worked there until 2009. She made many lifelong friends working there and considered them a part of her family. Mom and her partner in crime, Peggy Ryan, went on many trips to serve patients in areas that might not have access to reproductive healthcare.

In 1997, Alayna (Lanie) arrived and made Mom a “Mamaw” for the first time. Christy and Laura were quickly demoted to the back of the bus. Cody and Abby joined the grandkid crew in 2001. Shortly thereafter, Lexie came in 2003. Aubrey rounded out the babies in 2004. Mom loved each and every one of them but was quick to shut the lights off on them when she was ready to go to bed.

Health issues forced Mom into early retirement in 2009 and she was able to focus on her health. She was adamant on remaining independent and continued to be until the last month of her life. The sassiness, quick wittiness and spunkiness never faded.

Mom would say the biggest event of her life was becoming a “GiGi” to Barron James in January 2023 and Tate Kristen (GiGi’s Sweet Tater) in September 2023. Christy and Laura were assigned permanent seats in the back of the bus with the arrival of Barron and Tate.

Ethel is survived by her daughter Christy Fender and husband Kevin of Heltonville; Daughter Laura Eads and husband Troy of Bedford. Mom considered Kevin and Troy her sons and loved them like they were her own. Grandchildren Alayna (Lanie) and her husband Taylor Branham of Springville; Cody Fender of Heltonville; Lexie Fender and her fiancé Dakotah Smith of Salem; Abby/Isaiah Eads of Bloomington and Aubrey Eads and her partner Madilyn Wray of Bedford; Great-Grandchildren Barron James Branham and Tate Kristen Smith; Significant Other Keith Davis and his children CJ Davis and Anita Paynter of Bloomington; Big Brother Bob Holland of Ellettsville; Brother in Laws Homer Cross, Paul Reeves, Jim (Kathy) Richardson; Sister in Laws Shirley Jones, Shiela Bryant, all of Bloomington; Nieces Myra Bender, Michelle Cross, Rhonda May, Rebecca Leek, Beth Reeves, Jennifer Brinegar, Lisa Hobbs, Connie Grogan; Nephews Kelly Holland, Darren Holland, Greg Cross, John Paul Reeves, John Russell Holland and “pseudo” grand-daughter Emily Craig of Bedford.

She is preceded in death by her parents, ex-husband and father of her children Larry Richardson, special friend Richard DeWeese, brother Johnny Holland and wife Carol; sisters Pat Cross, Norma Reeves, Sister in Law Phyllis Holland, nephews William Robert Holland, Tracy Holland, Mark Reeves; niece Julie Holland Purcell. Mom was greeted at the Rainbow Bridge by all her furbabies- Benji, Gabby, Gus, Molly and Kitty Flower.

Visitation will be 11am-1pm with service beginning at 1pm on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home 4150 E. 3rd St Bloomington IN 47401 with burial to follow at Smithville Cemetery. We ask that you dress casually and bring your favorite memory to share.

In lieu of flowers, Mom would love for you to find your new best friend or donate to White River Humane Society, 3511 Pumphouse Road, Bedford IN 47421. Read a good book, drink a big cup of coffee or iced tea and love on your family.

The family would like to thank all the staff at IU Health Hospice for making Mom’s request of coming home a reality.