Eleanor "Ellie" Lee

Eleanor "Ellie" (Seelert) Lee of South Windsor, CT passed away peacefully on Friday July 1, 2022, at the age of 85. Ellie was born on January 2, 1937, in Hartford, CT the beloved daughter of the late Otto and Esther (Swanson) Seelert. She grew up in Manchester and graduated from Manchester High School in 1955. Ellie graduated from Cornell University in 1959 with a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics and Child Development. She raised her family in Enfield, CT where she founded and co-directed Stepping Stones Nursery School for many years. Ellie went on to receive her Master's Degree from University of Connecticut. She married Robert Lee in 1991 and they made their home in South Windsor, CT. Ellie remained in South Windsor where she worked many years as a Special Educator before becoming the Principal of Eli Terry Elementary School. There she led the school in receiving a Blue Ribbon Specialty Certificate which is just one example of her commitment to improving education. In addition to her passion for education, Ellie loved to travel with her dear friend Ellen Moriarty and her sister-in-law, Patricia Lee. She enjoyed her annual vacation in Old Orchard Beach, ME with her family. Ellie had a love for music and playing the piano. There was always music playing in her home. Ellie spent time golfing, painting, and bird watching with her grandchildren. She was an avid reader and enjoyed doing both jigsaw and crossword puzzles. Ellie was extremely generous and committed to supporting many charities. Some of her most important charitable work that she took the most pride in was her mission work in Haiti. Eleanor was predeceased by her husband Bob and her sister-in-law Patricia. She is survived by her three children, Laura Sokol and her husband, Bill of Niantic, Amy Colangelo and her husband, Matt of West Boylston, MA, and Jeffrey Chapman of Manchester; two stepchildren Christina Lee of Wethersfield and Bob Lee of South Carolina; four grandchildren Sam, Kayla, Josh, and Abby; four great-grandchildren Caiden, Kinsley, Noah, and Oliver. She is also survived by her brother Robert Seelert and his wife, Sarah, of New Canaan. A time of visitation for family and friends will be at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Road in South Windsor on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, from 9:30am-11:00 am with a Prayer Service at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Manchester. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to UNICEF in Eleanor's name. To view the service online or to leave a message for her family, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com , go to Eleanor's webpage and click on Tribute Wall.