Obituary for Louise "Hope" Seel

Louise “Hope” Seel passed over into God’s presence on July 31, 2023 attended by immediate family after a short hospice stay.  She is grievously missed by her devoted and loving husband of 42 years Russ, son Scott Burkitt(Chris), stepsons Jarrod Seel (Ronda), Shane Seel and several grandchildren.  Preceded in death by parents Louise and Harry Burkitt and brother Robert (Bob) Burkitt, surviving siblings are Charles W.(Bill) Burkitt, Paul (Bud) Burkitt, Valda Hunter, Frank Burkitt and Sharon Burkitt. Hope was deeply involved in her faith community, Church of The Messiah in Westerville and was well known for her positive presence and very active participation for over 40 years. Through her experience in Eammaus Walk, she developed an interest in the Kairos Prison Ministry’s  mission of helping ex-offenders make a successful re-entry into the community, spending decades volunteering with prisoners at the Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW) and Marion Correctional Institution (MCI). Hope was instrumental in the creation of “Kindway”, a program helping prisoners transition from prison culture. She truly made a lasting and loving difference in both Church of The Messiah  and her prison ministry; her energetic presence will be sorely missed at Messiah and by a multitude of friends within the walls and out on the street.

A Buckeye through and through, Hope grew up on a small Madison county farm. After high school graduation at age 18, the city lights of Columbus called to her, where she expanded her innate singing and acting talent through participation in Independent Players productions of Broadway Musical theater, singing and dancing in many musical productions at The Hartman Theater on State Street in downtown Columbus. She attended classes at a prestigious modeling school that resulted in several local modeling jobs including an acting part on a local tv show, “Traffic Court”.  As a single Mom she founded a part-time bookkeeping business to supplement her full-time income as office manager for an architectural firm. It is through her bookkeeping expertise that she met her future husband and business partner, Russ Seel, who was at that time a CPA.  The chemistry took hold, love blossomed; they were married in September 1981. Together they formed a software business, RH Positive, specializing in software for nursing homes, which they operated until their retirement in 2012.

Hope’s family is comforted by the sure knowledge that Hope has been welcomed into Divine presence with open arms.

Family will receive friends at Messiah UMC Friday, September 1, 2023 from 10AM-12; Memorial Service at the church will be at 12 Noon followed by a meal in the church fellowship hall.

In memory of Hope and her passion for this work, memorials can be given at https://messiahumc.net/give. Just select Hope Seel Memorial on the list you find there. 100% of these donations will be routed to support the work of Kindway. Alternatively, checks can be payable to Kindway PO Box 443, Westerville OH 43086