Gloria Sellar

SELLAR, Gloria 1926 - 2008 On Thursday, November 6, Gloria died suddenly and peacefully of cancer at Kingston General Hospital. Born in Calgary, her major influence was a Grandmother who taught her how to: do carpentry, raise chickens, teach herself music and painting, cater large banquets and love animal husbandry. While riding in the foothills, she met a handsome young fellow who, within a few months mailed her a marriage proposal for a wedding after his graduation from Royal Military College and just before his departure for the war. The wedding (immediately after her 17th birthday) began a 62 year partnership with Gordon Sellar. Gloria spent the war driving 18 wheeler trucks on the Alaska Highway, singing and dancing for troops in the Birks Jewellers Show, and, like most other girls, waiting and praying. Gordon returned and, except for his time in the Korean War, they were never apart. Gloria became a home maker and supporter of his career moving regularly around Canada, to Great Britain, Europe and Ghana. She maintained an active, engaged life raising three children, acting in community theatre, fund raising for the cancer society, riding, volunteering and painting. In 1979, the arrival of a pack of English Fox Hounds and five horses at their Kingston farm dominated her life for most of the next 25 years. Gloria loved the animals and tended the hounds like a mother. The Frontenac Hunt Hound Pack was nurtured into one of the finest in North America with many prizes and championship hounds. Gloria became a joint Master of the Hunt and continued judging hound shows for the Masters of Fox Hounds North American Association until 2008. Brigadier-General Gordon Sellar died from the tactical use of Agent Orange in 2004. In his honour, Gloria, on her own, aggressively pursued recognition for the many veterans whose lives were also profoundly affected by Agent Orange. Within weeks, she gained national attention - newspaper chains, CBC, CTV, BBC, and NBC joined in. Sitting on the resulting ministerial study group, she oversaw the ultimate compensation process for her vets. As an Honorary Member of the Black Watch Association, she continued to help sick veterans while she dealt with her own illness. Gloria is survived by daughter Susan Rahn (husband Jim and Emily), son Rodney Sellar (wife Dawn and Madison) and daughter Robin Sellar (sons Adrian and Sean). Her wish was cremation. A memorial service is planned at the Royal Military College Chapel, Kingston, for 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 29. A reception and light lunch will follow at the mess. Donations to the cancer society in lieu of flowers would be appreciated. For details contact Susan Rahn at 613-230-8840 or jimrahn@rogers.com. A storybook life, well lived. Many people will miss her.