Ethel K. (Kiesewalter) Hafner

Ethel K. Hafner, age 93, of West Grove, PA, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2026. Born in New York City in 1933, Ethel was the daughter of the late Herbert and Rose Lemp Kiesewalter.

A lifelong educator, Ethel earned her master’s degree and dedicated her career to the success and growth of her students. She was defined by an incredibly caring and compassionate nature that touched everyone she met and set her apart as a teacher. In the later stages of her professional life, she spent many years at the community-college level, where she was instrumental in developing specialized programs for adult students with learning disabilities and other special needs. She gave so much—her time, her patience, and her love—in ways that shaped the lives of those around her.

Ethel possessed an adventurous spirit and a lifelong curiosity. She was fond of the sentiment, “Many people look at things and say, ‘Why?’ I dream of things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” This openness to possibility drove her to explore the world, and she found great joy in experiencing diverse cultures in places such as China, the Middle East, Alaska, and beyond.

She lived with grace and purpose, giving her time freely to others. Whether helping a neighbor or volunteering within her community, she believed deeply in the value of being useful, dependable, and kind. This thoughtfulness extended to the personal notes she sent so regularly—for birthdays, holidays, or simply “just because.” Written in a neat and precise hand, her messages were always deeply considered; receiving one of her cards was a cherished reminder that she was thinking of you.

Ethel is survived by her son, John, and his wife, Kim, as well as her two grandchildren, Matthew and Christina.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (ABVM), 300 State Road, West Grove, PA 19390.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, California, where Ethel will be laid to rest.

Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square, PA.