Born: July 20, 1909
Died: December 26, 1985
Married: Thomas F. Finnigan, Jr.
Children: Thomas F. Finnigan, III
Ethel Hewitt Finnigan started the first kindergarten in the Saranac Lake area. She married Thomas F. Finnigan, Jr., and was active in the operation of the family's T.F. Finnigan's clothing store.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, December 27, 1985
Mrs. Ethel Finnigan
SARANAC LAKE - Mrs. Ethel H. Finnigan of 55 Petrova Avenue, died Thursday morning, Dec. 26, at the General Hospital of Saranac Lake.
She was born July 20, 1909, in St. Regis Falls, the daughter of Albert and Flora (French) Hewitt.
Mrs. Finnigan was a graduate of St. Regis Falls schools and the State University of New York at Potsdam.
She had been a resident of Saranac Lake since 1936 and had taught kindergarten at Paul Smith's and later established a private kindergarten in Saranac Lake. It was the first kindergarten in the area.
She later taught kindergarten at local public schools and retired in 1947.
She next was active in the operation of T.F. Finnigan Clothing Store in Saranac Lake.
Survivors include her husband, Thomas F. Finnigan of Saranac Lake whom she married June 29, 1936; a son, Thomas F. Finnigan, III, of Saranac Lake; two grandchildren, Kimberly and Thomas Finnigan, both of Saranac Lake; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Fortune Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Saturday at 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Cremation will follow. Burial will be in St. Bernard's Cemetery in May.
Memorial donations may be made to the Saranac Lake Rescue Squad in care of the funeral home.
