Born and raised in Amagansett, Deltra Rae Smith Schellinger was “a true Bonacker until the end, even though she moved west of the canal,” her family said. Mrs. Schellinger, who was 86, died last Thursday after a fall.
She taught first grade and kindergarten for 34 years in Westhampton Beach and continued to keep in touch with her former students throughout her life. Some of her first students, now in their 70s, “would still come and take her to lunch,” her daughter, Julia Ruocco, said.
During the school’s summer recreation program, Ms. Schellinger built still more relationships in the game room, connecting to youngsters who didn’t attend the school during the year. She was “a teacher through and through” and “attended every high school graduation for every class she taught, returning each year after her 1995 retirement until her final kindergartners received their diplomas,” according to her daughter.
She was born on Dec. 4, 1939, to Fred and Doris Smith. They raised her and her younger sister at the Bell Estate. A member of East Hampton High School’s class of 1957, she went on to graduate from the State University at New Paltz. She moved to Westhampton in 1968 and “cherished her East End memories and friends for her entire life,” her daughter said.
She and Bruce Schellinger divorced in 2010 after 40 years of marriage. He survives.
In addition to her daughter and son-in-law, Stephen Ruocco, who live in Hampton Bays, Mrs. Schellinger is survived by her sister, Charlene Hren of Sharon Springs, N.Y., and by two grandchildren, Izabella and Stephen. Also surviving are two stepchildren, Brenda and Bruce Schellinger of Florida, her nieces and nephews, Kim, Lori, Joe, and Bruce Hren, all of East Hampton, and “her sister by heart,” Jeanne Bregy.
“She will be fondly remembered by hundreds of students, co-workers, friends, and extended family members,” her daughter said.
As per her wishes, a celebration of her life “filled with her favorite sunflowers” will be held at a later date.
