Ethel Antonita Urbi of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away quietly on September 5, 2025, with family by her side. She was 76 years old.
Ethel was born in the Philippines on June 13, 1949. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilfred Castaneda Urbi and Gloria Besas Urbi; and her sister, Jacqueline Jeanne Urbi Vivo. She is survived by her sister, Gail U. Fule; nieces and nephews, Tiffany (Matt), Wilfred, Abigail (Shad), Eugene (Sarah), Pamela, and Melissa; grandchildren, Nina, Alyssa, Emma, Gabriel, Isaac, Lauren, Blake, Madeline, and Mary; and various cousins.
Ethel graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation, Ethel was determined to pursue her dream of living in the United States. At 19 years old, she was blessed with the opportunity to immigrate to the United States as a healthcare professional. Ethel began her career in Northwest Indiana as a medical technologist at St. Mary Medical Center where she became Supervisor of Hematology. Ethel later obtained her Masters in Healthcare Administration from IU. Ethel loved a challenge, so she began working at Baxter as a Hematology Applications Specialist, and as a Manager at Sysmex Corporation, and Roche Diagnostics. Ethel then became Regional Lab Director of Community Healthcare System and Dean of the School of Medical Laboratory Science. As Dean, Ethel recruited future medical technologists from the Philippines. Ethel was instrumental in helping these recruits live their American Dream. Ethel was an active member of the Philippine Professionals Association, Inc. (PPA) and the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET-Indiana), of which she served as its President.
Ethel had a fun-loving and down to earth personality. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, fishing, and cooking. Family meant a lot to her and she cherished hosting annual holiday gatherings which brought the family together. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and kept herself active in their lives by attending their sporting events, recitals, and other activities.
Ethel was a devoted Catholic. For many years, she enjoyed serving as a lector at mass. She also served as a catechist and mentor to those seeking to become Catholics. She had an unwavering faith and it was this faith that she held onto until her death.
Ethel was one of the most generous and selfless human beings who walked this earth. She gave freely of herself and sacrificed tremendously for her family. She possessed a strong sense of obligation to those she loved. Her most selfless act was when she unequivocally took in her widowed sister and sister’s children 40 years ago. Together, Ethel and her sister raised these children whom she guided, encouraged, and supported. She taught them the importance of family and loyalty; of taking care of others; and of loving God. She was dedicated to helping her family, a calling she carried on her entire life.
Ethel’s passing has left a huge void in the hearts of those who love her. She is already so missed and life will not be the same without her. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and wisdom. Even though she is gone, her memory will live on forever in those whose lives she touched.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street in Lebanon, Indiana from 4:00-7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 319 East South Street in Lebanon, Indiana at 9:00 a.m. Ethel will be laid to rest alongside her sister and parents on Friday at Calumet Park Cemetery, 2305 West 73rd Avenue in Merrillville, Indiana following additional visitation at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 W Taft St., Merrillville, IN 46410 from noon until 2:00 p.m. CST.
Ethel donated regularly to various Catholic charities and organizations. The Little Sisters of the Poor was founded to care for the impoverished elderly. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory: www.littlesistersofthepoorindianapolis.org.
Online condolences: www.MyersMortuary.com