Jeannie Seely recently made headlines with an unexpected twist during a special event celebrating her remarkable career. The 84-year-old country music icon, fondly known as “Miss Country Soul,” found herself in the hospital while visiting her home state of Pennsylvania.
While the trip was meant to be a joyous occasion, Seely was admitted to the hospital due to acute diverticulitis and dehydration. Despite the setback, she remained positive and saw a silver lining in the situation. Seely noted that although she had not expected to visit a hospital during her trip, it turned out to be another opportunity to experience the warmth of Pennsylvania hospitality. She expressed that the care and respect she received at St. Clare Hospital in Pittsburgh were exceptional, and she appreciated the kindness shown at Pittsburgh International Airport. Seely took pride in calling Pennsylvania her birthplace.
Thanks to the swift actions of the staff at St. Clare Hospital, Seely is now back in Nashville and on the mend.
Before her illness, Seely had the chance to return to Titusville, PA, where she grew up on a farm near Townville. Her early days in music began at just 11 when she performed on Meadville’s WMGW radio station and later on WICU television in Erie at 16. With numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award and a spot on the Music City Walk of Fame, Seely has never forgotten her roots. To honor her, Townville unveiled new “Home of Jeannie Seely” signs.
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The ceremony took place on Monday, July 29, at the Townville Fire Station, where Seely first performed in front of an audience. The event, packed with friends, former schoolmates, local residents, and fans, celebrated her achievements.
Seely expressed amazement at being back in her hometown and conveyed her gratitude for the efforts made to organize the event. She mentioned that, despite not being able to visit home often, she had always felt supported and appreciated by her hometown.
The celebration featured performances by bluegrass group Cutter & Cash and The Kentucky Grass. They played Seely’s song “Farm In Pennsyltucky” and introduced her as the group’s producer. They also debuted a new song, “Take Me Back To Pennsylvania,” co-written by Seely and PA musician Conrad Fisher.
State Representatives R. Lee James and Kathy Rapp presented Seely with a PA House of Representatives Citation. James read the proclamation, while Rapp shared a memory of recognizing Seely in the State Capitol Building years ago.
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Seely expressed her thrill about the new sign and extended her gratitude to her 1958 classmates who initially put up the signs. She acknowledged that the old signs needed replacing and appreciated the efforts of Cutter, Cash, and their team in making the new signs a reality.
Seely’s visit also included stops at meaningful places like the Drake Well Museum in Titusville, the Titusville Trust Company where she worked while singing at local clubs, The Arcade diner, and the Titusville YWCA where she once lived.
She met with key figures from the town, including Kelly Anderson Gregg from the Titusville Historical Society and Abbe Watson-Popescu from the Oil Region National Heritage Area. Seely donated various memorabilia and artifacts to the Titusville Historical Society and Crawford County Historical Society, including photographs, documents, and a stage outfit.
Seely remarked on how wonderful it was to return and express her gratitude for the support she has received throughout her career.
