Rita Dolan Sellar
February 24, 2000 - December 21, 2006

"dear rita thanks to you and your husband for the beautiful mountain club now the bootlegger house "

"For Tia my friend, and all of your wonderful family, my heartfelt condolences for the end of an era and a thank you for making me a part of the family and sharing "Granny" - I so enjoyed the short time I spent with her and am grateful that I had an opportunity to have met this fabulous person - our last drumming session will be remembered always. Granny was such a generous and fun loving character - traits which have been passed to all of you."

"Our grandaughter Lucy Brainard was born on Feb. 24th the day granny turned 93. She made a revealing comment "the baby was born th esame day as me but not the same year ""

"I?ll never forget the first time I visited Seaweed. It was in the early 80s. Tia brought me down for Easter. Shortly after we arrived, around dusk ? Granny glided through the room proclaiming ?The Bar is Open.? Mmm, I thought this is oh so nice. That was the first time I met Granny. And my life would never be quite the same... Much later the same night, a few of us ended up at the Candy Store. We ended up at a rather eccentric?s home who had once been wooed by a bullfighter she managed to capture his wardrobe ? if not his heart. She had heaps of old matador capes and hats from some closet. Well, what to do? A mock-bullfight of course! Finally in the wee hours, sitting on the roof of Bailey?s looking at the murky, April sky, breathing in the fog and salt, I thought about my first day in Newport. I had experienced things - that before I came to Seaweed ? existed for me only in works of fiction. When I brought my husband to Seaweed a few summers ago. He and Granny were chatting on the porch and he asked who were some of the more ?famous? guests entertained at Seaweed. She regaled us with stories of Cole Porter and Jackie Kennedy. It was fascinating to hear these excerpts from history told first-hand with such wit and insight. The last summer I visited was so very special. With my dear friends, Diana, Tia, and Lynn, we shared quite a jam session with Granny on the drums. I will miss Granny - her kindness, wit, and generosity. I will miss the world she came from and the beauty and grace she bestowed upon all of us who were lucky enough to be welcomed at Seaweed. Those treasured memories shall be kept in a place in my heart as long as I live."

"I just read all of the entries here. I wish Alex still had her ?Seaweed? web sight for all of this. For no apparent and differant reasons I was particularly affected by Lisa, Audry, Timmy, Ahnie, Diana, Holly, Ron from The Palmetto golf Club, and Bobby Lockerman. when I hear a story It doesn?t seam like granny is gone. It is just that, I didn?t think granny was going to die. I just didn?t. I have always marked time by her life. Always thought - ?Let?s see. How old will I be when granny turns 100??? ? Wow! Imagine? 100! I wonder if she?ll make it??? - Hang in there granny I hope you live forever. But she couldn?t. She tried. But she just couldn?t. Watching her go out slowly over a period of years was a very good way to see her out. We just lost bits and pieces of her gradually and that made it so much easier when the final piece, her beautiful little wonderful funny body followed the rest. Summer 1965 Bailey?s beach I would stick my ear inside of itself and suck my two middle fingers. Granny disapproved. She finally said so on our promenade, which went from one end of the beach club and back again. ?PECK -What the hells- SMACK -the matter- WACK ?with you- SLAP WACK ?Do you- WALLOP WACK SLAP?want to- CRACK WACK SMACK Turn into a- PECK WALLOP SMACK WACK -monkey?- SPIT? Approx. 1985 ?Seaweed? Between the 1st and 2cnd floors. Nicky & Sylvia are jumping on the beds. ?HEY! - - ?? WHO. WHHHOOOO. !!????? WHAT THE HELL! STOP IT. STOP IT UP THERE. WHAT THE HELLS THE MATTER WITH YOU????????????????? STOP THAT SPANISH DANCING THIS INSTANT!!!!! Approx. 1999 ?Seaweed? Tia is on the phone trying to get Granny to talk with her. T. Hi Granny G. Who are you? What do you want? Hello damn it. Hello. Who are- T. Hi Granny. G. Whoooooo? ???? Whhhhhooooooooo? What do you want damn it??? T. It?s me. Tia??? Tia! One of Your favorite grand daughters. G. Whaaaatttt? T. Hi granny. It?s me T-I-A TIA. One of your favorite grand daughters. G. My whaaaaaat? T. It?s TIA your favorite grand daughter. G. Who ARE you DAMN IT? What do you WANT? T. No! - - Granny it?s ME. - TIA! T-I-A TIA. Your favorite grand daughter TIA! G. Oh! ELENA. Hello. 2005 ?Seaweed? Ahnie and I walk into granny?s sitting room. She see?s Ahnie. She?s nibbling on some cookies. A. Hi granny. G. Whaaaaaaaaa? A. Hi Granny. Me and Ennalls came to see you. G. Whaaaaaaaa? Whoo? A. Hi granny. It?s us. Ahnie! And Ennalls! We came to see you. A. You did waaaaaaaaaa? A. Ennalls is here to see you. G. He whaaaaaaaa? A. He?s here to see you. G Who? A. ENNALLLS. G ENNALLS???? He?s a STUPID MAN. E. Hi Granny. I?m right here. G. STUPID! She says. Looking up briefly at me and without missing a beat. She then heaves another cookie to her mouth and ignores us both. She nibbles a little bit - chuckles and says, F. Well he is. Ha Ha. November 22, 2006 Being man-handled by Ambulance men who are loading her off to the hospital. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH WHOOOOOOO - AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHEEEYYY ? WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WHAT THE HELL THERE??? WHAT?S THE MATTER WITH YOU?? AAAHAHHHHHHH! LET GO!!!LET GO DAMN IT! - DUMB BASTARD!!"

"Dear Rosalie & Family, I would like to express my deepest sympathy and prayers.What a wonderful woman so generous and such a big heart. She truly will be missed . We truly need more woman on this earth like Aunt Rita. GOD BLESS, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY OUR IN MY PRAYERS. Love, Donna Toland Max Toland's wife"

"WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUNG MAN? Who? What did you say? DAMN IT speak up? Oh,wonderful...you must stay and have something to eat. You need a bath. No..no a bath is just the thing. WE DON'T WANT MISCHIEF HERE. Do you need money? I think you do. You really should go away. You are a trouble maker. Good day."

"Dear Rita, I remember meeting you on the beach many years ago after we had both been divorced. We commisserated together. Ever since then our two families have been close friends. My mother, Lucille, and you had so much in common-both Pisces. I guess that made you so special. I shall always cherish many fine times we spent at the beach and our house and yours. Sorry I can't be there, but our family sends its love to you and your family. We are better off for having known you. Much love, Anne Outhwaite Maurer Don, too"

"Despite her age, it's hard to believe that Aunt Rita/Granny is really gone. So many childhood memories are tied up with our time at Seaweed, where my sister Priscilla and I would cavort with the twins and Nina, various Berls, Sadrons, and assorted Sellar cousins. Our behavior was at times a little suspect, but we always had immense amounts of fun--singing and dancing, playing charades and card games, sneaking past the rapists hidden in the bushes at 4 PM to swim and frolic at the beach. I don't ever recall seeing or watching a television. There is an innocence to the memories that I am tremendously grateful for and recognize as part of the extraordinary luck of belonging to a very large and loving family. Love to all, Lisa"

"Rosalie, Sorry I cannot be at the service. I only met your mother once but will never forget her...an exceptional woman. My thoughts are with all of you. Love, Melinda"

"I can just hear her up in heaven exclaiming "Goddammit! What are all these flowers doing in my house!". She absolutely was the quintessential grandmother....always offering me and Ahnie money and gingerale for our trips back to NYC. Much love to you all. She had a fabulous life! Bon voyage Aunt Rita! love, Tanny"

"Dear Aunt Rita.. Yes, I was one of the ones who had the privilege not only of knowing you but calling you, so affectionatly, by that name. Norrie and I met when I came out in Philadelphia in 1952. Yikes, can we be that old? I remember well the house in Unionville and knowing I had to speak French while I was there. Norrie and I have kept up with each other through thin and thick, marriages mine not his and living in Prague and Madrid. Knowing each others families, sharing experiences and visiting "Seaweed" was all part of that wonderful picture. That brings me to the last visit there when I ended up spending the night. I was on my way from Nantucket to Southport, CT. Norrie was dropped off at New Bedford airport by Owen and we drove back to Newport together. I thought I would go on down the road to CT but not at all. Aunt Rita said " Why of course you aren't driving all that way now. Your mother would never forgive me for letting you do that. You're staying the night and that is final". I should say that at that point I was probably in my 40's but it was as thouugh I was a teenager again as far as my immediate acquiescence to that loving command was concerned. We took a walk on Bailey's Beach, had the picnic/dinner from the dumbwaiter, it was Sunday night} and I spent a cozy night with the sound of the sea through my bedroom window. So many happy memories. How lucky we all are to have had you in our lives, Much love and thank you, Patty"

"I can just hear her up in heaven exclaiming "Goddammit! What are all these flowers doing in my house!". She absolutely was the quintessential grandmother....always offering Ahnie and I money and gingerale for our trips back to NYC. Much love to you all. She had a fabulous life! Bon voyage Aunt Rita! love, Tanny"

"The cook barked her usual command,"no extra guests for dinner!" The plea, always 100% ignored, would be muffled by the clatter of the dumb waiter, hauling platters of ham, lamb & turkey from the basement to the pantry of 'Seaweed'. Rita & Aunt Rose, her world class sailing sister, provided Rose was not cruising the coast of Maine in her beloved schooner, were already hosting Rita's children plus a minimum of six houseguests. Fueled by a day of sunshine and surf, the gang would assemble on the expansive west porch, overlooking Bailey's Beach for scotch and wine cocktails, to watch the fiery sun as it plopped into the sea over Spouting Rock. During cocktails, a mass of grandchildren, in robes and pj's, would patter around bidding good night to Mama Rita and Rose, hanging on to the conversation long enough to drive the waiting nannies a little nuts. Dinner was served buffet style, with everyone assembled down the sides of the long refectory table; Rita or Rose seated at the head. Following dinner, Rose would depart the porch, turning off lights, closely followed by Rita, turning them on. No one told more hilarious stories about herself, especially her honeymoon, or encouraged more capers than Rita. Somewhere exists a picture of Rita, astride a gigantic Harley, somehow brought up to the second floor of 'Seaweed'. Who else plays percussion at 100! Having lost all grandparents early on, Rita became my archetype grandparent. And, it wasn't only me.....everyone staked a claim to Rita. In the span of over a century, Rita became the default 'granny' to hundreds of friends of her children, grand and great grandchildren. I am extremely honored and fortunate to have been one of the prerequisite houseguests during Rita's century, to sit at her table, and see the sun set with her from the west porch of 'Seaweed'."

"What a Legacy, dear Aunt Rita. Truly an end of a generation I remember fondly. My favorite memories are of Thanksgiving & Christmas in Wynnewood alternating between Bonnie & Pop-pop's and your house on the Wynnewood Farm. It was always colorful, festive and most of all FAMILY ! ! You provided that love @ Seaweed. my love to you and all those who have gone before us that have made my life so blessed."

"Rosalie, What a terrific legacy your mother left- generous- spirited-loving. How lucky for you and your family. Please accept our sincerest condolences Eileen and Elliott"

"Sellar Family, I'd like to express my deepest sympathy to all of you. I was very fortunate to have worked for and known "Granny". She was a wonderful person and I'm certain her presence will be missed by many. Most Sincerely, Mary Cawley"

"I can't even begin to remember all the milestones for me that took place with Aunt Rita at "Seaweed". One was my rehearsal dinnersecond Marriage!!in 1965, another was my son David's 50th birthday, my 70th birthday was also celebrated there. There are many, many more events that would take books to fill, but perhaps the most memorable event of all, was the most recent, when Rose, Ahnie, the nurse and I, all tried to comfort Aunt Rita by holding her hand and singing her favorite songs also, assuring her that "Sloe Gin" and"Peace", her horses were waiting for her.She took her last breath after seeing her great grand children, Lili and Jasper.I'll never forget my Aunt Rita. Nothing will ever be quite the same with out her."

"Dear Rosalie: From the first time Ahnie schlepped me to Newport, 29 years ago, Granny was the most spirited, indomitable, fiery, generous, unflinching, frolicsome, animated, zestful, charming, brassy dame I'd ever met. And she remains so to this day. I didn?t know everyone called her Aunt Rita until I?d visited Seaweed for the second or third time, yet she never corrected my. But I knew I was really part of the family when she first yelled at me about staying up all night with Ahnie. From her motorcycle to her ?milk? to howling ?No Press!? at those slimy von Bülow reporters then enunciating "That's S-E-L-L-A-R goddamnit!" to chasing after Chris or Waggy, Granny was vivacious to the core. Rose, Granny was the master of ceremonies, the cruise director, the Queen Mother of the most wondrous, vibrant family on the planet. And you know, right now, she?s wearing some flamboyant, shiny, feathery hat while dancing around, spilling her cocktail, singing Happy New Year with a crowd of blue-blooded, polo-playing angels and Myra from the Bronx! Love you always, Nancy"

"Rita was a very special friend to my parents and to all of us - very much a part of the fabric of my youth in Newport. A gracious hostess, she always made you feel comfortable and always offered us a bed and a meal. This was too good an offer to pass up and in 1957 or 1958 Blitz Robinson and I took her up on it with Owens blessing, especially as he was looking for some skin diving buddies. That was a summer I do not think any of us will forget. Rita we will miss you. May the light of that wondful smile of yours shine on down through the ages and never be forgotten!"

"I had the great privilege of seeing Mrs. Sellar many times during my youth, both in the Philadelphia area and in Newport. More than once, my father and I were guests at Seaweed, some during my years at St. George's and some afterwards. I'll never forget the black tie dinners at which we either spoke French or we didn't speak at all! Both she and her lovely house were testimony to a graciousness that is virtually unknown today. She enriched my life simply by the opportunity to spend some time in her presence -- her sense of fun, love of horses, and a certain mischievousness that transcended the span of years between us. God bless you, Rita Dolan Sellar."

"I will never forget the extraordinary hospitality I got at "Seaweed', when our son, Matt was at St Georges. Mrs. Sellar was a character, with alot of love for others. Rosalie has her spirit- now, "Tally Ho" Rosey- Posey! Love from Idaho"

"On behalf of the membership of Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken,S.C., we send our condolences to the family of Mrs. Sellar. The Doland family and the "winter colony" were the founders of our golf club and we are fortunate that they were in Aiken and active in sports of all types while here. Our flags will fly at half staff in your honor at Palmetto Golf Club. Ron Garrett President The Palmetto Golf Club 2006"

"I first met Rita in 1947 at a birthday party she had for my fellow 1st grade classmates Alex&Owen.The next 60 years of knowing her were filled with a lot of laughter,great parties, good friends,a little craziness,and wonderful hospitality. She said to me in 1962 I run the best damn hotel in NewPort. IN 2006 the Good Lord said it was time to check out"I have bigger plans for you. Sadly missed Bobby Lockerman"

"As perhaps a fitting and final verse, sung to the tune of Aunt Clara... We'll always remember Aunt Rita Her name brings a smile to our face A true Matriarch Cer-tain-ly made her mark And the world was a happier place! My thoughts are with all the cousins. Lots of love, Holly"

"While we all knew the day would come when Aunt Rita would eventually have to take her leave, now that the time is here, you can?t help but realize what an incredible era has come to pass. But I can't think of another person who will spawn more stories, tales and legends than Aunt Rita. Never will she fade away, and no one who has shared even but the smallest amount of time with her, could forget Rita. She will live on well past her almost 103 years. I love you Aunt Rita and I among many, will happily help keep your spirit and memory alive. Woooooo!!!!!"

"David felt that one of the higlights of his legal practice was meeting Mrs. Sellar. Jennifer enjoyed meeting her one one occasion, at which time Mrs. Sellar gave both David and Jennifer a tour of Seaweed."

"Dear Rosalie, Your mother was an extraordinary woman, a bedrock of the spirit of Aiken. Ed and I never met her, but felt we knew her well fromm all the wonderful stories you and others shared with us over the few years we have lived in Aiken. We do see her spirit in you...maybe that's one of the reasons I so enjoyed fox hunting with you in CT Our condolences to you and your family. Love, Leslie and Ed Giobbe"

"My condolences to all in Rita's family, particularly Daphne and Rosalie whom I knew many years ago."

"I will miss my grandmother so very much. She truely was an amazing person. No one will ever replace her. I feel very lucky to have spent the last two years of Granny's life with her up to her very last day when we all said goodbye. But only so that she may travel on to another place where she will have even more fun!! You will always be with me Granny. Your spirit lives on with everyone that loved you. We will love you forever. You are with me everyday. Love, Ahnie"

"Aunt Rita included us as part of her extended family during our years in Newport. We have so many happy memories of our times at Seaweed and our trips with her to visit Rosalie and Wigs. We will miss her always and Newport will never be the same without her. Our love and thoughts are with you all."

"What words are sufficient,Aunt Rita has died but her spirit will live forever! I am humbled to have know such a "cool" woman.You know what they say "the one with the best stories wins",Aunt Reets you are in the lead!!! God Bless you All! Happy New Year!"

"I am a friend of Owen Sellar and had met his mother several times. She was very hospitable and friendly. I want to express my condolences to the family and know she will be missed."

"what a woman,what a life!! TALLY HO"

"We will all miss Granny Sellar. Love Peter, Sharon, Tenley, and Petey Brainard"

"Farewell to an amazing woman, the family matriarch, and a very long and incredible era!"

"So many friends around the country have written to me saying how glad they are to have known Aunt Rita. She made an indelible impression on lots of people! She is really unforgettable, and we will all miss her spirit and generosity. with love, Julie Toland and John and Peter Haas"

"May the Lord bestow eternal rest to her soul and may he comfort you in this difficult time. We will ALL miss her!"

"Aunt Rita had a wonderful twinkle in her eye and always made me feel so welcome during my many stays at Seaweed growing up with Alex. I remember many times after dinner or breakfast we would remain at the table and chat, catch up and chuckle. Often she would suddenly shift into fluid French if she knew you spoke the language just to keep you on your toes.There are many crazy fun tales of Seaweed most of which I am sure didn't escape her but instead gave her a great deal of amusement. She was a wonderful witty, giving, loving, and unique person and I am certainly blessed to have known and to have felt her love and her warm spirit. My sincerest condolences to each and every one of the family. Tally Ho Rita! You will be missed."

"My love to Rosalie and Wigs and the family. I never met 'Mummie', but loved listening to Rosalie tell stories about her life. I know she will be missed."

"Thank you wonderful Aunt Rita for giving the world 102 remarkable years and for making Seaweed home for so many. Without it I wouldn't have known so many outstanding cousins. My thoughts and best love go out to all of you. XXX+OO alix"

"Mrs. Sellar was an inspiration. I feel fortunate to have listened to her play the drums in her final years at Seaweed in the company of many family members. My heartfelt condolences to Rosalie & Wigs, Alex and all the family who surely have countless happy memories."

"Dear Rosalie, we are sorry to know about the passing of your wonderrful mother. We know this is a difficult time and our thoughts are with you. You are such a caring and wonderful friend. With love, Patrick and Katarina."

"my condolences to the family it was a great pleasure and a privileage for my kids Nicolas and Sofia to had met granny."

"Sending all my love and prayers - especially to my Fairy Godmother Rosalie . I shall cherish all the wonderful memories that Aunt Rita had given to me and anyone who knew her. Happy New Year Dear Rita! Much love, Sukey"