Carolyn Anne Sellman

Carolyn Anne (Ridley) Sellman passed away peacefully on May 11, 2016, at Rose Arbor Hospice of Kalamazoo. She was born March 24, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan, and her parents Roy and Christina Ridley welcomed her with great joy. After graduating in 1942 with highest honors from Highland Park High School, Carol attended Alma College. She married Bernard Sellman on January 21, 1956. They celebrated 56 years of marriage before his death in 2012. Carol was also preceded in death by her half-brother Reginald Ridley. Barney and Carol resided in Plymouth, Michigan, where Carol attended St. John's Episcopal Church, served on the Altar Guild, and served as a secretary in the Plymouth Public School District. She worked diligently for the Republican Party of Wayne County, and was voted a delegate to the 1980 Republican Convention in Detroit where she prided herself on being the only vote for George H.W. Bush on the final ballot. Together, they raised 3 children, John (Linda) of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jeanne (Jim) Hess of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Jim (David Balas) of Saugatuck, Michigan. Grandchildren are Lana, Erin, and Brenna Sellman, and Andrew (Amanda) and Kevan (Laura) Hess. Carol welcomed 2 great-grandchildren, Connor and Aubrey Hess. Carol and Barney moved to Paw Paw in 1993, where they spent many happy years in retirement while being members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, where Carol served ECW and the Altar Guild. Carol has resided in recent years at Hope Woods in Kalamazoo, where she made many new friends. The family is grateful for all who have offered support, including her St. Mark's family, Patricia Sabo, Hutson Hughes, the Bronson HealthCare system, and Hospice of Southwest Michigan, including all the caring staff at Rose Arbor. Cremation has taken place. She will be remembered and committed to the columbarium at a service on Saturday, May 21, 2016, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 412 Cedar Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079, where the family will welcome visitors from 11:00AM-12:30PM. A memorial/committal service will follow at 1:00 PM. Arrangements are being made through Avink Funeral Home in Schoolcraft, Michigan. If you wish to leave a condolence or a memory, you can do so at http://avinkcremation.com/ To honor her kind, charitable heart, memorials can be directed to St. Mark's Episcopal Church or Rose Arbor Hospice http://www.hospiceswmi.org