Eleanor Berg Selig

Eleanor Berg Selig, known to her many friends as Ellie, lived happily in Seguin on the Guadalupe River for over 50 years with her devoted husband, Marvin. Ellie passed away on August 20, 2002, after enduring Parkinson's Disease for many years.

Raised in Spring Valley, New York, along the Hudson River, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Keuka College and received her masters in Sociology from University of Rochester. Ellie developed a strong sense of style and drama from her mother, Fanny Weiss Berg of Boston, and of community activism from her father, Dr. Samuel Berg of New York City, both core values which were manifested throughout her life.

After a classic, whirl wind romance in early 1945, Ellie and Marvin were married and moved to Austin, where Marvin finished engineering school and took his bag of tools to Seguin to build a steel manufacturing plant. Ellie went to work to support Marvin at Scarbrough's selling clothes and modeling in Austin and later worked as a teacher and as a radio announcer in Seguin, before she began her family. Although not a native Texan, Ellie exuded the determination, spirit and independence of a classic pioneer Texas woman. Once met, few forgot Ellie Selig.

Ellie filled her life with people, causes and beauty. She dedicated her life to her family, but at the same time, Ellie was the ultimate volunteer helping many causes. She started early with the public schools in Seguin and remained active in developing many social welfare efforts in Guadalupe County including the first mental health facility. Her compassion and leadership skills were utilized to energize and inspire others to come together to help the disadvantaged and to encourage education. With her family grown coupled with an unending source of energy, Ellie graduated to state and national volunteerism including several university, state and national government appointments. She gave many people confidence to express themselves and to become involved in their communities.

Her father was a New York State Assemblyman, and she brought her Republican beliefs to Texas, a one party state at the time. For 50 years, Ellie worked tirelessly to develop support at the grass roots level by supporting worthwhile elected candidates like Senator John Tower, President George H. Bush and Edmund Keumpel as well as working to identify worthwhile individuals for official appointments.

Beauty and style were integral parts of her life defined by her personal fashion; extensive gardens and greenhouses; years of collecting antiques; memorable dinners on the terrace above the Guadalupe River with music, dance and food and travels to lovely places around the globe.

Ellie and Marvin shared their love of their adopted state. They raised and raced quarter horses from the 1950's through out Texas and spent part of the year in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Del Lago Ranch on the Guadalupe River in Gonzales county held a special place in her heart where their family gathered and they entertained many friends over the years.

Ellie is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, Marvin. In addition, her children, Zachary; Peter, and his wife Lyn, and Jeff and his wife, Walton. She is also survived by five Selig grandchildren-Stuart, Jocelyn, Aleka, Kiber and Sam.

Rabbi Barry Block and Rabbi Dr. Samuel Stall officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The University of Texas School of Social Work, Attn: Dean White, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin TX, 78212, The Association of Retarded Citizens, 1600 West 38th , Ste. 420, Austin, TX, 78731 or a charity of your choice.