Ethel Beatrice Harvey Steele passed away peacefully at home in Oriole Beach surrounded by her family on April 29. She attained the venerable age of 93. Ethel was dearly loved by all and was the quintessential reserved, gentile Southern Lady. Born in a small home behind what is now the New Yorker Deli (her Uncle's home) of George and Novie Harvey in East Pensacola Heights, Ethel was the third child of four. Ethel's parents George and Novie taught Ethel the values of close family and how to have fun in those Great Depression and frugal pre-World War II years. Her parents owned a small fishing camp in Oriole Beach where she spent her summers fishing, sailing and riding her horse, Blackie. Ethel played clarinet in the Pensacola High School Band and earned high marks academically.

Ethel grew into a beautiful young woman and started working at Naval Station Pensacola in 1943 progressing quickly in the Accounting Department becoming the Data Supervisor. After the war, she was introduced to the returning soldier who would become the love of her life, Juber (Bob) Steele. The family joke was she was his boss back then and has been the rest of their 68 years together before Bob's passing March 29, 2017. Ethel and Bob settled next to her Mom and Dad in East Pensacola Heights where their two children, Alan and Jane were raised. Ethel was the "Leave it to Beaver" Mom of the 50's and 60's devoted to and guiding her children gently with a strong but loving hand. Ethel and Bob had a deep sense of family passing on their values, how to have fun travelling, enjoying the sea and each other. Her greatest joy was always taking care of her family.

Ethel was a founding member of St. Paul Catholic Church and spent many weekends raising money for its initial construction in East Pensacola Heights. She also enjoyed her gardening, kept an impeccable yard and was the president of the Daisy Garden Club of Pensacola. Once a month for many years she loved to play Bunco with her friends. She was a true Blue Angles fan until she passed, as she had ordered supplies for the planes during her civil service tenure. Ethel will always be loved, respected and honored as she was the matriarch of our family. Ethel was part of the diminishing greatest generation and a native Pensacolian. Her stories of family, local Pensacola and Gulf Breeze history will be missed.

Ethel is preceded in death by her husband; parents; her sisters, Emily and Arnelle; brother, George.

Survivors include children, Alan (Jennifer), Jane (Steve) of Gulf Breeze; grandchildren, Patrick Holcomb (Hannah), Todd Crew of Ft. Lauderdale, Kristen Sauer (Michael), Leslie Sparr, Tyler (Vanessa) Sparr, Gracie Stewart; great-grandchildren, Brooke, Will, Kaleb, AJ, Aiden and Elise.

Visitation will be held at 10am Thursday, May 3, 2018 with the Funeral Mass beginning at 11 am at St. Paul Catholic Church Pensacola. Burial follows at Bayview Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be: James Briggs, David Morres, Patrick Holcomb, Todd Crew, Michael Sauer, Tyler Sparr.