Tuesday, November 29, 2022
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Knowing the Ellia Family for a long time, it's hard to pick just one memory, but I will miss the feisty giggle that Phyllis had, especially when she was being sarcastic with us (which was a lot of the time). Tracey and I have known one another since elementary school, and we met up at each other's parents' houses for everything from birthday parties, prom, and graduation celebrations like the photo above where you can tell that Phyllis is beaming with pride for both of her daughters.
Mr. (Thomas) Ellia was unassuming and it was always a sweet surprise when a smile crept across his face with light, but Phyllis Ellia was naturally more of a firecracker. I imagine their personalities complimented one another in that way. The card games the family had often filled the garage with chit chat. I guess Kim learned how to play euchre, but all I learned is how lively the gatherings would become (they definitely became a welcoming, lighthearted, boisterous bunch).
Often, I wouldn’t get beyond the few steps in the entry way talking to Phyllis while I waited for Tracey. Although, a lot of the visits Mrs. Ellia and I only spoke from a little stairway, Tracey went all the way to North Carolina to visit me in college (and at Blowing Rock Assembly Grounds too). I was also able to visit her in Orlando to see Disneyworld from the inside out! One of my favorite visits with Phyllis was the divine timing when who should walk into Proietti’s restaurant, but the 3 Ellia ladies. My father, Nicholas, insisted that they join our family who had just been seated for a meal. Then we all had a great time catching up. l still get a kick out of the magic of the timing since neither of us knew the other was in town visiting. We’ve been catching up ever since.
One of the last times I visited with Mrs. Ellia, we watched from her place as my father insisted on scooping up Tracey for a little ride in the corvette. Phyllis also humored me by stopping by my parents’ place to watch some of my comedy routines with Tracey and it was fun to giggle with just the girls. (I love their laughter).
I know the sisters, Kim and Tracey, have been doing their best to tirelessly support their mom when she needed it, with everything from shopping for groceries, to advocating for her health care, as well as honoring her wishes. They have both been accomplishing more than the elves at the North Pole this month alone, for certain. I’m sure their parents were always proud of them. I know Phyllis and Thomas Ellia passed on some great traits to their daughters who have been holding up like angelic warriors during this especially stressful time. I see some of the fire from Phyllis has passed on to the next generation and some of the quiet soulful nature that Thomas Ellia exuded too. Please pass on some hugs to Kim and Tracey. May we provide support for them to lean on. Love to all the family grieving,
amy rae
