Ethel Brzuchalski

Ethel V. Brzuchalski of Stevensville, MD passed away June 25, 2024. Ethel was the daughter of the late Steve Billy and Agnes Billy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond J. Brzuchalski; brothers, Steve Billy and Isadore Billy and her sister, Barbara DeMatteo. She is survived by her sisters, Emily Lechner of California and Kathy Clay of Pennsylvania. She is survived by two sons, Raymond Brzuchalski (Carol Scheiber) of Phoenix, Maryland and Keith Brzuchalski of Stevensville, Maryland; and by her daughter, Denise Wright (Jefferson V. Wright) of Edgewater, Maryland and Bethany Beach, Delaware. She is also survived by two grandsons, Evan Schieber and Andrew J. Brzuchalski and three granddaughters, Alexandra Wright Ekroth, Katherine Wright Murray and Casey M. Brzuchalski.

There will be a viewing on Sunday, June 30, 2024 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Connelly Funeral Home of Dundalk, 7110 Sollers Point Road, Baltimore, MD 21222. A funeral service will be held at Connelly Funeral Home of Dundalk at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 1, 2024, followed by an internment at Oak Lawn Cemetery at 7225 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any favorite charity.

Ethel was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, who leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity and elegance. Born into a large coal mining family in Smock, PA, Ethel learned early in life the values of hard work and perseverance which were hallmarks her entire life. Upon graduating from high school, Ethel moved to Baltimore, MD, where she met the love of her life, Ray. Ray pursued her relentlessly, captivated by her petite beauty, gracious demeanor and easy-going charm. Their love story blossomed into a marriage that produced 3 children and spanned 67 wonderful years.

Ethel was a marvelously dedicated grandmother, always generous with her time, attention and affection. Her kind nature endeared her to everyone. Known for her elegance and impeccable style, Ethel was always well dressed, often sporting gorgeous dresses and her signature stiletto heels from her vast collection.

A lifelong Catholic, Ethel's deep faith was a cornerstone of her life and she lived by her principles. Her generousness of spirit was often on display as an avid hostess, lavishing her guests with attention and copious amounts of home-cooked food. Her hospitality was widely known, and she delighted in creating memorable experiences for her family and a large circle of friends. Particularly memorable were their barn parties and crab feasts, which Ethel and Ray used to spread cheer and goodwill. They shared a passion for dancing, especially the swing dance and polka, which they first perfected in the 1950s when dating, and they continued to wow onlookers with the fluidity of their dancing even 65 years later.

Ethel was also an avid and loyal sports fan and critic. She rooted for the Orioles from the moment they arrived in Baltimore in 1954, enthusiastically supported the Baltimore Colts, grieved when they abandoned Charm City, and then adopted the Baltimore Ravens as her own. Her energy and spirit were infectious, and she brought the same fervor to cheering on her favorite teams as she did to so many other parts of her life.

For the last 30 years, Ethel and Ray made their home on a peaceful waterfront farm on Cox Creek on Kent Island, MD. There, they enjoyed the tranquility of their surroundings and continued to share their love and hospitality with those around them.

Ethel Brzuchalski's life was a testament to love, grace, and the joy of living fully. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of so many people she touched.