Obituary of Elizabeth Grimes Schellens

Elizabeth Grimes Schellens, 93, of South Cove Farm, Essex, CT died peacefully on Friday, July 29th, 2016 at Middlesex Hospice in Middletown, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. Betty was born on February 8, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan, the eldest of four children and the daughter of Edwin and Bernice Grimes. She was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended the University of Michigan where she played flute in the University orchestra. Betty graduated in 1945 and married E. Peter Schellens in Washington, D.C. that same year. They moved to Essex in 1946 where she lived until her death. Betty was dedicated to her family and was a loving mother to her three sons Dick, Kit and Tom. She was also very civic minded, serving as den mother in the Cub Scouts and as President of the Essex Elementary School PTA. She was an avid gardener and a member and past President of the Essex Garden Club, where her efforts helped establish the town park on Main Street. She later served on the Essex Library Association Board of Trustees, for several years as President. Betty also worked for many years at the Essex Town Offices, as Secretary of the Planning Commission and as the Republican Registrar of Voters. Summers were spent at the family cottage in Port Clyde, Maine where Betty learned about sailing and cruising and was proud to become an accomplished First Mate. The couple cruised the New England coast as far east as New Brunswick, Canada often with family and friends. Betty loved to travel, to entertain, and was a devoted Michigan football fan. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Pete Schellens, her three sons and daughters-in-law, Dick Schellens and Stephanie Hampton of Portland, ME, Kit and Kathy Schellens of Essex, CT, and Tom and Jane Schellens of Old Lyme, CT, eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Bernie Crim of Glastonbury, CT, and her brothers Bud Grimes of Palm Coast, FL and Bart Grimes of Mendocino, CA. A private burial will be held. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in Betty's honor to Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, 61 Main St, Suite 5, Centerbrook, CT 06409 or to the Essex Garden Club, P.O. Box 936, Essex, CT 06426. Arrangements by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook. To share a memory of Betty or send a condolence to her family please visit www.rwwfh.com