Nellie T. (Romito) Similo passed away peacefully on Friday, September 2, 2011, at Saline Evangelical Home in Saline, Michigan, four days shy of her 96th birthday. Nellie was much appreciated for her love for family, her friendliness, her generous spirit, her cooking talents, and gracious manner. She was able to meet the challenges of life with an unrelenting perseverance and an ability to forge ahead with strength and independence. For many years, she helped and supported patients at a local hospital through her volunteer work. She loved collecting fresh vegetables from her back yard garden and was tireless in attending to homemaking details. Nellie hosted many family gatherings at her home in Westland, Michigan. She is fondly remembered for creating delicious feasts served with large portions of love. On the occasion of her 90th birthday, her family presented her with a cookbook featuring her favorite recipes. Nellie never passed up a chance to play card games with her family and friends, always eager to play the winning hand!

Born on September 6, 1915, Nellie was one of fourteen children of the late Octavio and Eva (Troiano) Romito, Italian immigrants. She grew up in Charleroi, Pennsylvania; married Alfred S. Similo of Blythedale; and built a home in the area where they lived until moving to Westland, Michigan in 1964. Nellie is survived by daughters Donna Johnston (Richard) and Gloria O'Neill (Patrick); grandchildren Jill Johnston, Douglas Johnston (Julie), Erin O'Neill Regan (Christopher), and Megan O'Neill; great grandchildren Emma and Alex Johnston; sisters Audrey Henrion of Boston MA, Elaine Niccolai of New Eagle, Gloria (Albert) Doty of New Eagle; brothers Anthony Romito of Charleroi, Paul Romito of Florida, Donald Romito (Ruby) of Charleroi; and many nephews and nieces and their families. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by husband Alfred S. Similo; sisters Urania Burns, Dena Campagna, Vera Romito, Cora Volosin; and brothers Tars, Albert, and Elto Romito. Friends will be received on Thursday, September 8, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. in the Carl J. Spallino Funeral Home, 819 Fallowfield Ave., Charleroi. To commemorate her life, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Gerald Mikonis on Friday, September 9, at 10 a.m. at Mary Mother of the Church, Charleroi. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Immediately following, the family will greet friends and relatives at a luncheon at Hills Restaurant, 107 Main Street, New Eagle.

Donations in Nellie's memory may be made to Arbor Hospice (2366 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103; phone 734-794-5338; online at http://www.arborhospice.org) or to Saline Evangelical Home (440 West Russell Street, Saline, MI 48176; phone 734-429-9401; online at http://www.evangelicalhomes.org/Locations/EvangelicalHomeSaline).