Obituary

Elinore Elaine Thuermer, 96, passed peacefully in her home in Williamsburg, VA, on Sept. 5, 2024. A native of Dayton, Ohio, Ellie was the daughter of the late Fred O. Seelig and Bernice J. von Derau, and wife of the late Russell L. Thuermer.

Ellie spent much of her life in Dayton. She graduated from Fairview High School in 1949, attended Indiana University (1947), where she met her husband, and Stephen’s College (1948). Prior to marriage in 1949, she worked for American Airlines as a reservation agent.

Ellie was very active. In Dayton, she was president of the Woman’s Civic Club, Woman’s Kiwanis, Stephens College Alumni, Evening Hours Garden Club, Oakwood Garden Club; 1st VP of Dayton Council Garden Club, and Woman’s Republican Club; and VP/Sec. Burrough’s Nature Study. She belonged to the Advance Club, Dayton Woman’s Club (Board member), Tri Arts Club, Floral Artist Club, Ikebana International, Miami Valley Orchid Society, PEO, Eastern Star, Grace Methodist Church (circle leader), and David’s United Church of Christ (circle leader). She volunteered at the Little Exchange/Nearly New in Oakwood, and Kettering Mem0orial Hospital where for 17+ years she assisted as a surgery escort. She was awarded Honored Volunteer. She also had a TV show on flower arranging on Dayton’s Channel 2.

She and Russ moved to Edenton, NC, in 1992, where she became active in Edenton’s Presbyterian Church (Elder, circle leader), Woman’s Club, and Art Center (exhibitor/ instructor). She volunteered at the Visitor’s Center, James Iredell House, Cupula House, Barker House, and annual Pilgrimage.

After Russ passed in 1996, she moved in 1998 to Devon, PA, to be with her daughter. There she volunteered at the Neighborhood League in Wayne and continued PEO.

In 2004, she moved to Williamsburg, VA, where she volunteered at the St. George Tucker House, and joined the Woman’s Club, Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, PEO, and Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center (won awards for watercolors). She was a volunteer and auxiliary member at Sentara Hospital.

Most of all she loved her “puppy” dogs, animals, trains, flowers, gardening, art, music (loved her piano and rearranging music), reading, writing poetry, needlework, and sailing on Lake Erie and the Caribbean. She traveled extensively throughout the US, Cuba, Egypt, Africa, Asia and Europe. She and her husband loved train travel in Europe, especially Switzerland. (“He couldn’t keep me out of Switzerland.”)

In Dayton, Ellie was known as “the Orchid Lady” because of her large greenhouse and orchid collection. Later she was called “Miss Ellie.” All who met and knew Ellie spoke of her kindness and positive outlook.

Ellie is survived by her son, Jon D. Thuermer (Kathy Benning), and daughter, Karen E. Thuermer (Michael R. Hawley).

A memorial service will be held at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, VA, on Sept. 11 at 2 pm. A reception will follow at the church. A service and final interment will be held at the David’s Cemetery Community Mausoleum Chapel in Kettering, OH, on Sept. 17 at 1 PM. A reception will be held afterwards in the same building.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, Ryan Vet Hospital for Small Animals, or the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.