Ethelyn Koch Gebrowsky

Ethelyn Koch Gebrowsky of Frederick, MD, was born in New Orleans, LA, on January 30, 1924 and passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at the age of 92 years.  Mother of Lynn Gebrowsky.  Sister of Oliver Koch Jr. (Margie), Lillian "Lil" Illenberger, George Koch, Ernie Koch Sr. and the late Irwin Koch and Mildred "Millie" Kennair.  Daughter of the late Oliver Koch Sr. and Lucy Schmalz Koch.  Also, survived by many loving relatives and friends.

Ethelyn’s life was one of joyful service: service to country, service to others and service to God. After Ethelyn graduated from Tulane University with a degree in mathematics, she went to work for a major oil company. From there she joined the Naval Reserve and received her commission in 1950. She served proudly in the Navy for five years, stationed at Mare Island, CA, and Pearl Harbor, HI.

Following her Navy service, Ethelyn was able to share her love of mathematics through a long and rewarding teaching career. The majority of her career was at Metairie Park Country Day School, Metairie, LA, where, in addition to teaching mathematics, she served as Head of the Mathematics Department, Principal of the Upper School and Assistant to the Headmaster. Ethelyn also shared her love of teaching through over 50 years work with the Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) teachers’ sorority in which she held state and international offices. When Ethelyn moved to Frederick in 2000 to be with her daughter Lynn, she was pleased to be able to continue her association with DKG.

While in New Orleans, Ethelyn had been a Lay Episcopal Minister at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Upon moving to Frederick, She found her church community at All Saints where she loved and was loved. When she was unable to perform physical duties for the church, she continued, as a Daughter of the King, to serve through constant and devoted prayer.

In her later years, Ethelyn valued her time at Daybreak and was grateful for the caring staff and the friends she made there. She was never happier than when she won the grand prize in the weekly poker game, which she did with some frequency, Probability and Statistics being her mathematical passion of old. As she required more assistance in her daily life, Ethelyn was blessed with the love and kind attention of her aide, Hazel, and she in turn loved Hazel and the extended family she acquired through her. She was also deeply appreciative of the many years of support and care provided by her physician, Dr. Hiren Shah.

Ethelyn was, throughout all, an exceptionally loving mother and a woman of great humor, compassion and kindness.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM, on Saturday, August 20, 2016, at All Saints' Episcopal Church, 106 W. Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701.  The Rev. Adrien Dawson will officiate.  Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the All Saint's Episcopal Church at the above address or to Daybreak, 7819 Rocky Springs Road, Frederick, MD 21702.

Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com