Eleanor Stilwell (born Seely)
Personal
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1934
Date of Death: July 18, 2018
Birth Place: Fairdale, PA
Death Place: Pittsburgh, PA
Eleanor Seely Stilwell, age 84 of Indiana, died Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh.
She was born in 1934 in Fairdale, PA to Orlo and Marion Carter Seely.
She graduated from Mansfield State Teachers College in 1956 majoring in Music Education where she met her husband Merle Stilwell. They married in 1955 and moved to Long Island NY. She began her professional career as an elementary music teacher in the South Huntington school district on Long Island where she taught until starting their family.
They moved to Ithaca NY in 1965 and to Indiana PA in 1967 where they have lived since. She was an active member of Grace United Methodist church where she and Merle sang in the Chancel Choir for 50 years. She also served in many other roles within the church.
Her hobbies included quilting, basket weaving, piano teaching and bringing joy to others. And then there were the many dogs who were her faithful companions.
After Merle retired, they traveled to many places. The trip that eclipsed them all was the family cruise to Bermuda to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
Her children, grandchildren and friends across the country brought her great joy. In turn, the joy she brought to them will carry on forever.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Merle; one son and one daughter, Colonel Douglas Stilwell, USMC (Retired), and wife Deborah, Fredericksburg, VA; Wendy Stilwell Boehme and husband Les, Murfreesboro, TN; three grandchildren, Heather Stilwell, Brian Stilwell and wife Brianna, and Emily Stilwell, all of Pittsburgh. She is also survived by two brothers, Giles Seely and wife Janie, Tucson, AZ; Claude Seely and wife Nancy, Coudersport.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Friends will be received on Sunday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 P.M. at the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home, Indiana. A funeral service will be held on Monday at 2 P.M. at the Grace United Methodist Church with Pastors William Blair, Kathy Mihoerck, and Dennis Marshall officiating. Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chancel Choir Fund, Grace United Methodist Church, 712 Church St., Indiana, PA 15701.
Published online by the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home
[Great-granddaughter of SGS # 3387 – Eleanor Lorraine; Orlo Fuller; Giles Green; Martin Nicholas (# 3387); John N. (# 1501); John Nichols; Samuel; Samuel; Jonas; Obadiah]
