Ila J. Sellingham

Ila Jean Sellingham of Thornton, NH passed away on January 15, 2026, after struggling with congestive heart failure. She was born October 12, 1943, in Gettysburg, PA to Harry W. and Gladys P. (Chronister) Bowers. She was a 1961 graduate of Gettysburg High School, receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and French from Millersville University of Pennsylvania in 1965, and her Master's Degree in Education from the University of Kansas in 1969. Ila taught elementary school in Pennsylvania, Kansas, and New Hampshire for 32 years and retired from the Bernice A. Ray School in Hanover, NH in 2003.

In her retirement years Ila and her husband Richard enjoyed traveling in their RV. She visited all 50 states and most of the provinces of Canada. Earlier in her life she also visited Bermuda, lived in a suburb of London, England for one year, and visited many European countries.

She enjoyed the simple pleasures of country living. Tent camping and hiking in the mountains with her family were favorite activities in her earlier life. More recently, Ila enjoyed day trips with her husband Richard to explore NH, enjoy the scenery, and stop for an ice cream cone. Her days were spent working in her flower gardens, watching and identifying visitors to the birdfeeders, sharing companionship with her dog, doing counted cross stitch, cooking and trying new recipes (especially chicken), playing daily word games on the computer, putting together puzzles, and following the Iditarod Sled Dog Race every March. She was an avid reader. Spending time with her husband and family was her greatest joy.

She is survived by her husband Richard M. Sellingham of Thornton, daughters Jann Douple Mylet and husband Marty of Chugiak, AK and Martha Tomeo and husband David of Denali Park, AK, granddaughter Emma Tomeo of Reno, NV, and grandson Will Tomeo of Ann Arbor, Ml. She also leaves stepsons Michael Sellingham and wife Katie of Loudon, NH and Brett Sellingham and partner Kim Blue of Manchester, NH and granddaughters Brianah Secchiaroli and husband Davin of Nashua, NH and Hannah Sellingham of Hudson, NH. Surviving Ila in the Gettysburg, PA area are her brother Leroy P. Bowers and wife Geri and her sister Dorothy L. Bigham along with a nephew, nieces, and extended family.

In addition to her parents, Ila was predeceased by her sister Joyce in July 2025 and brother-in-law David A. Woodward in 2012.

A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family at the Woodstock, NH Cemetery. Ashes will also be scattered along Ila's favorite trail in Denali National Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Thornton Public Library, 1884 NH Route 175, Thornton, NH 03285.