Selma Ballentine

“A Force of Nature”

A magnificent mother, grandmother and human being, Selma Ballentine left us unexpectedly at the age of 97.

Selma was indeed a force of nature. A lover of the natural world, she knew the names of most every bird and plant. She was a crack New York Times crossword puzzle solver. She volunteered at her beloved Guilford library every week and went on daily walks with her gang of friends, all of whom are younger and marveled at her age-defying mental and physical capabilities. And lest we forget, she was a committed gym rat, lifting weights and walking on the treadmill three days a week. Before her retirement she was the store manager of Childworks (formally Galt Toys) in Guilford.

But most of all, her life was about her love of family: her three children, Jim, Dayle and Roger; and her grandchildren, Alex, Henry (deceased), Helen, David, William, Eliza, Grace and Mariana. She never missed an important event in any of their lives. She was the family rock and core. Her children jokingly referred to her as “central intelligence”.

Selma’s father, Lester Merton Chace grew up in Swansea, MA. Her mother, Grace Louise Russell came to Boston to study voice at the Boston Conservatory. Lester and Grace met when they were both working on Cape Cod for the summer, after which they married and lived in New York City where Selma and her older brother Lester M. Chace Jr. were born. The family soon moved to Pekin, IL where Selma spent her youth.

Selma graduated from the University of Tulsa with an art degree and subsequently moved to New York City where she enjoyed time living with friends in Greenwich Village before meeting and marrying Harold Ballentine. Selma and Hal eventually settled in Southern Connecticut and raised their family. After her divorce, Selma moved to Guilford in 1986, which would be her beloved home for the rest of her life. Selma embraced a happy single life, traveling the world on Elder Hostel tours, singing with the Berkshire Choral Society, valuing her dear friends and, most of all, her family. She will be dearly missed by all.

Friends and family will join for a Celebration of Life at 100 Water Street in Guilford on Sunday June 29th from 2 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Selma’s name can be made to the Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St, Guilford, CT 06437; https://guilfordfreelibrary.org/ or the Menunkatuck Audubon Society, PO Box 214 • Guilford, CT 06437; https://menunkatuck.org/donate