Ethel was born on the 18 February 1912 at Mataura, Southland, New Zealand
She attended Waimumu, Croydon and Croydon Siding schools in her youth.
At age 20, she married Earl Osman Mackley at the Presbyterian Manse, Gore, Southland, New Zealand on the 26 July 1932. From that union, stemmed 3 children. 1 is extant, so not being displayed here.
| Child | Born | Died | Married | Children |
| Joan Ethel Mackley | 06 Mar 1933 | 6 Oct 2015 | Mervyn Willis | 3 |
| Basil Osman Mackley | 04 Feb 1936 | 2 Jan 1987 | Living | 2 |
| Living |
The newly weds moved to Christchurch at some point in the mid 1940s. Ethel remained there for the remainder of her life.
Earl predeceased Ethel on the 2 Sep 1970 at Christchurch, Canterbury.
Ethel passed on the 15 Jun 2001 at Gore, Southland, New Zealand and both are buried in the Gore Cemetery.
