Mary Seelie Reuland

Mary was born in Cleveland, OH, on December, 2, 1947, to Tod Seelie and Helen Walsh Seelie. The fourth of seven children, she enjoyed a happy childhood in Ft. Mitchell, KY, where, as her siblings recount, she was “always reading.”

She graduated from Notre Dame Academy, earned a B.A. in American History, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Kentucky, and an M.A. in Asian History from the University of California at Santa Barbara. From 1971 through 1984, Mary was a beloved US and World History teacher at Wellesley Senior High School.

In 1985, Mary and her family moved to Cape Cod, where she joined Snow Library as the Children’s Service Librarian after receiving her M.L.S. from Simmons College. She became the Assistant Library Director from 1996-1999 and then served as Library Director from 1999-2013. Until the time of her passing, Mary served as a Library Trustee and a member of the Library Facilities Advisory Committee. She was an active member of the Chatham and Orleans Book Clubs, Eastward Ho Country Club, the Chatham Yacht Club, as well as the Nauset Garden Club. She was dedicated to the Orleans community and felt very fortunate to call it her home.

Mary loved the life she shared with her husband of 52 years, Geoff. They met in 1968 at the Chatham Bars Inn while working summer jobs and celebrated their 50th anniversary there in 2021 (this time as guests). Some of her happiest days were spent on the Outer Beach and the waters of Pleasant Bay with her family: son Paul and wife Laura, grandchildren Will and Gwen and son John and fiancée, Aurélie. Mary possessed endless love and energy for her grandchildren. She enjoyed swinging with them in the hammock on warm summer evenings, decorating shells they collected from the beach, and, of course, reading them stories. Mary was a friend to all in need, always sharing roses from her garden, a perfect book recommendation, and her world-famous chocolate chip cookies. She will be missed very dearly by the many people whose lives she touched with her kindness.

Mary was predeceased by sister Joanne Sekowski of Ft. Mitchell, KY, and is survived by brothers Jack Seelie of Rocky River, OH, Thomas Seelie of Ft. Mitchell, KY, Michael Seelie and wife Beth of Jacksonville, FL, sisters Patricia Wondrely of Ft. Mitchell, KY, and Jane Liberti of Austin, TX, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial visitation will be held at Nickerson Funeral Home on Monday, April 10, from 4:00PM-7 PM and a funeral mass will take place on Tuesday, April 11th at 11 AM at St. Joan of Arc in Orleans.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation www.themmrf.org