Emilia “Millie” Irene (Formis) Reale, 82, of Follansbee, WV unexpectedly passed away peacefully on Friday, June 5, 2020 at her residence.
Emilia was born on March 12, 1938 in Follansbee, WV. She was the youngest of seven children born to Giovanni “John” and Letizia (Gabriele) Formis, who both came to Follansbee from Frosinone, Italy. She graduated from Follansbee High School in 1955 and was a licensed beautician. Emilia was a member of GFWC WV Follansbee Twentieth Century Club and a life-long parishioner of St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church in Follansbee.
On February 11, 1961 she married Michael Nicholas Reale of Toronto, Ohio at St. Anthony’s Church. Emilia was very proud of her five children and their educational achievements. She felt privileged to attend numerous high school and college graduations of both, her children and grandchildren. Emilia was very proud of her Italian traditions and passed along her many cooking talents and recipes to her children.
In addition to her parents, Emilia was preceded in death by three brothers, Emilio, Loreto, and Paul Formis, and three sisters, Clementine Formis, Elena Lalk, and Josephine Yost.
Emilia is survived by Michael, her husband of 59 years, five children, Debra Lynn Reale, of Windsor, CT, Lore Ann Ajluni and her husband, Thomas Ajluni, of Catonsville, MD, John Michael Reale and his wife, Lynne Ann (Wilson) Reale of Westport, CT, Gabriel Formis Reale and his wife, Christina Marie (Catone) Reale of Marietta, GA and Vincent Paul Reale of Jessup, MD. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Anthony Michael Ajluni, Emily Nichole Ajluni, Michael Wilson Reale, Mason John Reale and Nicholas Formis Reale. Emilia is also survived by her sister-in-law, Janet Formis of Follansbee, the widow of her brother, Paul, in addition to several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Family and friends will be received on Monday, June 8, 2020 from 4:00-7:00 PM and again on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 from 9:00 AM until Liturgy of the Word at 10:00 AM at James Funeral Home, 1245 Main Street, Follansbee, WV (304) 527-1717, Father Jude Perera, presiding. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory to St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, 1017 Jefferson Street, Follansbee, WV 26037 would be appreciated. Interment will follow the service at Oak Grove Cemetery, 122 Rockdale Road, Follansbee, WV.
Please note that limited access and social distancing will be in place during visitation and funeral service. All attendees will be required to wear a mask or face covering. Hand sanitizer stations will be available. In addition, if you are unable to attend or not feeling well, please consider sending a card or leaving an online condolence.
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