Ethel Baylis Ellingsworth

Ethel Baylis Ellingsworth of Seaford passed away June 24, 2026.  She was born March 21, 1943, to parents Clifford and Mamie Baylis. Her parents and brother Norman Baylis taught her about the importance of education, family, and laughter.

She graduated as the Valedictorian in 1961 from Bridgeville High School and then earned her elementary education degree from the University of Delaware in 1965.

Upon graduation, she began a long career teaching fourth grade at South Elementary in Harrington for over 30 years. Ethel was an innate leader who pushed against sexist norms by wearing pants to work and teaching while pregnant. She was a respected and admired teacher by hundreds of students and coworkers who often became friends. She passed this core belief in education on to her own children and grandchildren, teaching them math, writing, and the importance of homework.

Ethel was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. She married Robert Ellingsworth in 1967. A couple years later, she gave birth to Bonnie Ellingsworth Varrato and then four years later Glen Ellingsworth.

Over the years, she became involved in the Acorn Club, Seaford High School Band Parents, and the American Legion Auxiliary. In addition, she was a dedicated volunteer at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital for many years, where she played a large role in organizing the volunteer program as a way to give back following her successful surgeries in the 1990’s.

Ethel loved games--whether Ms. Pac-Man in the 80s, Scrabble or Uno with her grandchildren, TV game shows, or Words with Friends with people she met online. And of course, her favorite game: Candy Crush.

She enjoyed traveling around the US to places like Missouri, Virginia, and Hawaii, as well as cruises to the Caribbean.

Ethel connected with people in the community every day: with the waitresses at local restaurants, with her hairdressers, with other volunteers at the hospital, and with her beloved home health aide Tia and nurse Jessica. She was known for her sage advice. She listened to others when they shared their problems and helped them find solutions.

But her favorite thing to do with the majority of her retirement was being MomMom BooBoo to her three grandchildren: Dylan, Zack, and Arina Varrato, who were her world. She sat in the front row for every marching band performance, parade, track and cross-country meet, swim meet, and dance recital where her grandchildren were involved. She took them places, showed them things, played games, and taught them to laugh.

Ethel is survived by her husband Robert, children Bonnie (Tony) and Glen, grandchildren Dylan (Alana), Zack (David), and Arina, brother-in-law Norval, and Simba, her cat.

We hope that right now she is sitting with those who left before her, on a porch in Heaven, playing cards and laughing.

A private service will be held with family.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. John’s United Methodist Church in Seaford.

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