Ethel Hilda Wimhurst was born in Tinsley Green, Surrey England in 1892. She was baptised in St. Michael and All Angels Church.

At the age of 14 she left England and moved to Canada with her family. Five and a half years later she married a neighbour, Charles Linton, at her parents farm. They had three children though one died in infancy. John and Tommy grew up to be farmers in the same area.

Ethel lived over 100 years, the last 33 as a widow. She died on May 10, 1993 in Englehart, Ontario, having lived to see at least one of her great, great grandchildren (5 generations).