Ethel A Leibrand

Luck be a lady! Ethel was a spunky, spicy, quick-wit who loved to challenge the one-armed bandit. Ethel A. Leibrand (nee Wright) possessed a strong work ethic, and she was very proud of her talent of embroidery. Ethel’s wanderlust drove her to travel; she loved to cruise the world, traveling the high seas. In the century that she lived, she had memories longer than the road that stretches ahead. She carried with her more history than we can hope to experience. She achieved her high school diploma at 74, making the newspaper! Alas, the stars in the sky are ready to say "Goodnight, my bambino, go to sleep!” one final time. The words to one of her favorite songs now go “I’m sorry, playmate, we can no longer play with you…” Ethel was a beloved resident at Cadbury Premier, where it is said that she had the longest stay and was part of their “family.”

On Thursday, January 22, 2026, we turned Ethel over from time to eternity. She was 102 years old.

Mrs. Leibrand was born in Camden during Prohibition, in the spring of 1923. She began her career embroidering at Nannette’s Factory in Gloucester and eventually moved to Pearl Embroidery in Philadelphia, where she worked as a sample maker due to her talent and artistic ability. She enjoyed helping to raise her grand and great-grandchildren; they loved her cream chipped beef (S.O.S), egg-in-a-hole, and goulash. They enjoyed listening to her sing her songs, which she sang by request any time one of her children or grandchildren visited her. Mrs. Leibrand raised her family in Camden as a single mother, overcoming many challenges to provide for her five children.

Ethel leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Ethel & her husband Bill Guthridge, Charles Leibrand, Mary & her late husband Mark Barricelli, John & his wife Helen Leibrand, and the late Shirley & her husband Kenneth Stevenson. She is the proud grandmother of 15 and leaves a legacy of many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by and will be deeply missed by her beloved friend, Ruthie, as well as her sister, Lillian Connelly.

Relatives, friends, and neighbors are invited to gather with the Leibrand family. We’ll be pulling the one-armed bandit, singing lullabies, and celebrating our mother, grandmother, sister, and friend on Saturday morning, February 7, 2026, between 10:00 am and 11:00 am at Creran Celebration, Etherington & Creran Funeral Homes, 400 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, where reflections will follow at 11:00 am, during which those who wish to speak and share memories are welcome.

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