Ethel Aldridge (nee Swenson) 96, in Chatham formerly of Rutherford passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Oct. 11, 2013. Born in New York City to Carl Swenson and Ingebord (nee Peterson) she lived most of her life in Rutherford . Before retiring, she was an Operating room nurse for West Hudson Hospital in Kearny for 10 yrs. She was a member of the 1st. Presbyterian Church, the Kip Center and the Golden Age Club all in Rutherford . Ethel loved to travel most of all and she was an avid reader, rarely ever seen without a book. Ethel was fascinated with the beauty of nature. She was a devoted wife to her late husband Sidney who passed in 1983, a devoted mother to her beloved children; she was just a great “Mom”.Ethel is survived by her children; Ann Harvey and husband Robin, Joe Aldridge, Allen and wife Janis, Thomas and wife Debby; her adored grandchildren Jim, Keith, Kevin, Michael, Lea and her 5 great-grandchildren.Funeral Wednesday 9:15am from the Collins Calhoun Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Ave. Rutherford followed by 10:00am Service in the 1st Presbyterian Church, Rutherford, Rev. Peter Wilkinson officiating.Interment Hillside Cemetery , Lyndhurst .Family will receive friends Tuesday 2-4 & 7-9pm. For photo and condolences visit collinscalhoun.come.