Ethel Prentice

Cheshire ' Ethel Martin Prentice, 98, of Cheshire passed away June 6, 2009 at the Highlands Health Care Center in Cheshire. She was the wife of the late Stephen E. Prentice.

Mrs. Prentice was born July 16, 1910, the daughter of the late Charles and Minnie (Wiegmann) Martin. Preceding her marriage, she was employed as a cook at Vassar College and at the Franklin Roosevelt Mansion. Following her marriage she co-operated the Prentice Poultry Farm of Moss Farm Rd. in Cheshire with her husband.

She was a Cheshire resident for over 70 years, and was a member of the First Congregational Church. She was a lifetime member of the Cheshire Grange, a member of the Ladies Aid group of the Congregational Church, a former member of the Cheshire Senior Citizens and their travel club as well as a member of the N.C.H.A. camping club.

She was an avid gardener and at one time received the award for the Beauty Spot of the Month. She also received a Certificate of Recognition from the League of Women Voters for her Community Service.

Mrs. Prentice is survived by her son Stephen I. Prentice and his wife Miriam; her son-in-law Donald Zychowski; her sister Eleanor Leavy; her grandchildren Debra Kumkowski and husband Michael, Robin Zychowski and wife Marlene , David Zychowski and wife Michele, Cheryl Mastroianni and husband Anthony, Brian Prentice and wife Doreen, Stephen Prentice and wife Sahar, and Brenda Matzkin and husband Andrew; her great grandchildren Lisa McGinn and husband James, Laura Kumkowski, Matthew Zychowski, Lara Zychowski, Emma Zychowski, Anthony Mastroianni, Nicholas Mastroianni, Brianna Prentice and Kaitlyn Matzkin. She was predeceased by her daughter Ruth Zychowski; her brothers Charles, Walter, Ralph, Harold, Robert, and Royal; her sisters Hazel, Florence, Minnie, Ruth, Ester, Mildred and Dorothy.

Arrangements ' Funeral services will be held on Tuesday June 9, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Cheshire, 111 Church Dr. Burial will follow in Cheshire Hillside Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Monday for 4 to 7 p.m. at the Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. Memorial Contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church, 111 Church Dr., Cheshire, CT 06410 or to VITAS Hospice Charitable Fund, 1579 Straits Turnpike, Suite C, Middlebury, CT 06762.