Shellie Seltzer, 64, of Chestnut Hill, a teacher at Germantown Academy, died June 24 at Einsten Medical Center.
Until her retirement in 2008, Mrs. Seltzer had worked at the school for 25 years, most of the time as a pre-kindergarten teacher. She was widely acknowledged as one of GA's best teachers – a caring and inspirational figure to the youngest children starting out in school.
For several summers, she also taught an art history class as part of Germantown Academy's summer ArtQuest camp.
Raised in Mt. Airy, Mrs. Seltzer graduated from Girls High School and received a bachelor's degree in literature from Temple University. She also attended the University of Toledo, where her husband, the late Robert Seltzer, received his law degree.
A Chestnut Hill resident since 1976, she lived during that time in the same house on West Meade Street. When she first moved to Chestnut Hill, she taught for a time at Our Mother of Consolation Parish School. She also volunteered at Morris Arboretum.
In recent years, she became active with the Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, volunteering, setting up events and participating in classes.
She was well known to her neighbors and nearby residents for her daily walks around the area, admiring aloud the flowers, birds and community activity. She also befriended those who worked at many of the shops in Chestnut Hill.
She is survived by a son, Jed Seltzer, and a sister, Carole Mattis. Memorial donations may be made to the Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, 8431 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118, or to The Nature Conservancy at support.nature.org/goto/Shellie_Seltzer. – WF
