Ellen M Sellwood

Pembroke – Ellen M. Selwood, 90, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 3, 2012 at her home with her children by her side. Ellen was born in Worcester, MA on December 4, 1921, daughter of the late Adin and Mabel (Taft) Messinger. She graduated from Hartford High School in Hartford, CT and worked as a waitress for G. Fox Stores in Connecticut until marrying Merrill Selwood on June 13, 1943 in Mendon, MA. While Merrill was serving his country during WWII, Ellen worked as a radio assembler in Chicago, IL for a government contractor. She returned to Connecticut where they began their family. They eventually moved to Weymouth, MA where Ellen was an active member at Pilgrim Congregational Church in North Weymouth. She was a teacher with the churches nursery school program and a member of the Mr. & Mrs. Club at the church. While her children were young, Ellen was also involved with the Bluebirds and Cub Scouts. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing and quilting. Her most cherished moments were those times spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her loving husband Merrill in 2002; two brothers, Richard and Ernest Messinger; and a special aunt Beatrice Taft Pickard. Surviving are her two children, Pamela King and her husband James of Carver, MA, and Russell Selwood of Perry; a sister Ruth Gilman of Bristol, CT; three grandchildren, Brian King and his wife Michelle of Carver, MA, Darren King and his wife Michele of Carver, MA, and Amanda Ellen King of Marshfield, MA; five great-grandchildren, Danielle, Holli, Jacob, Nathan and Isabella King; and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Ellen’s life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Perry Congregational Church on Shore Road in Perry. Burial will follow in Leland Cemetery, Perry. Donations in Ellen’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais & Eastport.