Ethel Mariel DaCosta-Archer

Ethel Mariel DaCosta-Archer, affectionately known as “Effie, passed away on Friday, September 22, 2023 at her home in Mount Holly, NJ. She was 86 years old. Born in Manhattan, NY to the late Jose Santiago Leite DaCosta and Ethel Moore-DaCosta on November 20, 1936. She was the ninth of eleven children. She grew up on Franklin Avenue in the Morrisania Section of the Bronx where her passion for music, dance, and singing was nurtured. She danced around the house with her father to latin tunes, specifically brazilian music. In addition, she enjoyed ballet, tap, ballroom dancing, swimming, as well as classical and contemporary music. She honored her late sister Babe by always singing opera songs in a high falsetto voice. At the age of 14 years old, Ethel attended Walton High School-got skipped and graduated at the age of 16. Within that same year she enrolled in City College of NY. In 1962, Ethel started working at a lingerie company called “Starburst”. Later, she met the late James Eugene Archer, Jr. whom she married and from that union produced 3 children. She was a stay at home mom who sewed her children’s clothes with patterns that she made from newspapers, and cooked southern-style foods, and was very active in the P.T.A at the elementary school, P.S.111. After several years Ethel returned to college in the late 70’s, while working for St. John’s Episcopal Hospital located in Far Rockaway, Queens as a receptionist. Eventually working her way up becoming an Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. Ethel earned her Bachelor's Degree at Marymount Manhattan College, which earned her a full scholarship to Hunter College where she graduated with her Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW). She later obtained her License to be a LSW (Licensed Social Worker). Ethel loved to travel with family to different places, but her love was returning to Brazil where her roots were and she gained dual citizenship. She also loved to speak in the three different languages she learned (Spanish, French and Portuguese). Ethel had an infectious attitude and silly antics made her a loving mother, sister, aunt, cousin, wife and mother-in-law. She was a great story teller and the repository of many old wives tales. Ethel is survived by her three children: Tracey Eugena Archer, Luanda Anene Archer and Jinja Dyula Archer (Linval), 11 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, her sister, Lolita Dacosta as well as a host of nieces, nephews. Contributions in her memory can be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) and/or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org). Final arrangements have been handled by Perinchief Chapel in Mount Holly, New Jersey

Ethel Mariel DaCosta-Archer

November 20, 1936 - September 22, 2023