Obituary

On December 21, 2022 Ethlyn Victoria Moody passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, surrounded by her family. She was 87 years old.

Ethlyn was born on November 10, 1935 in Ashton, Jamaica West Indies to Gladys and Robert Stevens. Ethlyn is the oldest girl and second child of eleven children. She moved to Kingston, Jamaica where she met and married her soul mate, Dennis Moody. Dennis and Ethlyn had four children, Jean, Judith, Locksley and Karl and five grandchildren, Alexander, Lauren, Caroline, Preston and Maya.

Her education began in the public schools of Jamaica.  She attended Kingston Commercial Institute where she studied Stenography. In the mid sixties, she immigrated to New York City to pursue higher education and Dennis joined her. She attended the American Institute of Banking where she received her Certificate in Banking Operations. While working at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City, Ethlyn decided to change her career path and enrolled in the Nursing program at the City University of New York, Borough of Manhattan Community College. She received an Associate Degree in Nursing and became a Licensed Registered Nurse.  She continued her studies at St. Joseph's College, graduating with a B.S. degree in Health Administration and Community Health.  Ethlyn's quest for knowledge did not stop there. She continued her studies at C.W.Post, Long Island University where she earned her Master's degree in Public Health Administration.

Ethlyn worked in many areas in the Nursing profession as a Registered Nurse, Clinical and Administrative Supervisor, Staff Development Instructor, Nurse Recruiter and Director of Nursing. She also completed the Certified Nursing Administration examination in a self study program.  She was well loved and respected by her colleagues and staff, which is evident from the many gifts she received and displayed at her home. Ethlyn retired and moved from New York City to Port Saint Lucie, Florida in 1998. Retirement was short lived as Ethlyn continued to work as a Registered Nurse, joining Hospice of Treasure Coast, where she worked for over eleven years.

Ethlyn professional life mirrored her personal passions, as she lived a life as a protector of every soul she touched.  Through her love and guidance many family, friends and strangers were encouraged to pursue higher education which enriched their lives and the lives of their children. She was a relentless source of support.

Ethlyn has always been an active member of her church. She attended St. Marks Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, New York and later St. Peter's Episcopal Church, in Rosedale, New York. She is currently a member of Holy Faith Episcopal Church, in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. She was an active member of the choir and served as Vice President of the Order of the Daughters of the King. She also managed the thrift shop for Holy Faith Episcopal Church for many years. Ethlyn became a member of the American Association of University Women in 1999 and served as Vice President, and then President, for two years. She was very proud of her work assisting young ladies in their pursuit for higher education, her lifelong passion. Her hobbies are reading, singing, dancing, traveling and swimming.

Her parents, Robert and Gladys Stevens and siblings, Melvin, Muriel and Ronald predeceased her. She is survived by her children – Jean and (Rudolph Gurdon), Judith and (Timothy Woods), Locksley and (Marlene Moody) and Karl; her grandchildren – Alexander Woods, Lauren Woods, Caroline Moody, Preston Moody and Maya Moody; brothers – Albert Stevens, Levi Stevens and Maxwell Stevens and sisters – Jennifer O'Bryan, Shirley Wilson, Norma Stevens and Noreen Grissom; Sisters In Law – Venetia Harrison, Leithia Miller and Dahlia Lambert and Brothers In Laws – Donovan Moodie and Ronald Moody and many cousins, nieces and nephews, who all love and adore her. Ethlyn was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, who was deeply loved by her family. The family requests that all flowers and notes be sent to Holy Faith Episcopal Church, Port Saint Lucie Florida. There will be a celebration of Ethlyn's life at Holy Faith Episcopal Church. With the grace of God, may her soul forever rest in peace.