Ethel Payne-Ison was born on the family farm near Springside, Saskatchewan. She attended Clear Creek School for 11 years, took grade 12 at Yorkton Collegiate, and one year at Moose Jaw Normal School. She then took a class by correspondence to get a degree. She then taught school in Wynyard for 3 years, after which she moved to the United States. Ethel flew for BOAC and Pan Am before joining Seaboard in 1961.
Ethel moved back to Yorkton, Saskatchewan in July 2017 to be closer to her family. Ethel was predeceased by brothers Willard Payne and Jimmy Payne; and her sister, Lorraine Bilokryly. She was survived by her sisters Dorcas Bilokreli and Mabel Gottenbos; and her brothers Alan Payne and Stewart Payne; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Ethel is seen here putting up Christmas decorations at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam; December 1971.