Ellen Elizabeth Farris Romani

Ellen Elizabeth Farris Romani, died on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Ellen was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s Disease at age 59 and true to her love of science and her career in hospital laboratories. She spent the last 14 years participating in studies that searched for treatment and a cure for a disease that was progressive and debilitating. She participated in more than 25 bi-annual studies through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research – confident that with continued research a cure could be found.

Ellen began her career in the clinical laboratory shortly after graduating from Glen Alpine High School in 1970. While still in high school, she took a part-time job working in the office of Dr. Ralph Kibler who sent her to the lab at the old Grace Hospital to learn to draw blood and perform simple blood test. At Grace Hospital, she met Madeline Dalmas, Lucille Smith, and Dr. John C. Reece, who encouraged her to go to college and influenced her life tremendously. They ignited a lifetime of curiosity in medical laboratory science.

She earned an associate degree from Western Piedmont Community College, B.S. Degree in Biology from USC-Upstate, and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, all while working full-time at Mary Black Hospital, Spartanburg Regional Health System and Hilton Head Hospital Systems. She ended her career as Department Chair for Allied Health Sciences at Spartanburg Community College.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Arnaldo Romani, her parents, Ben and Doris Farris, three brothers-in-law, Ronnie Mills, Cliff Stamper and Andy Pollard.

She is survived by one step-son, Arnold Romani, his wife, Suzie, and grandchildren Whitney, Danielle and Vince, and 2 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her siblings, Donald Farris (Brenda), Wanda Mills, Judy Stamper, Phyllis Pollard, Keith Farris (Sandy), Mickey Farris (Gena), Sherrie Hughes (Rodney), and Jan McDougal (Scott).

Ellen counted herself fortunate to have extended family and friends that visited and helped her as her disease progressed. She wanted to express her thanks to her lifelong work and travel friends, Debbie Cash, Brenda Border, Glenda Sutton, Carole Morris and Jodi Forrester. Those friendships began while they were young students in community college and continued throughout their years of working and traveling together.

Ellen also wanted to express her gratitude to Hillary and Mark Biggerstaff, Drew and Leigh Ann Pollard, Cindy, Claire and Dale Boger, Joe and Carolyn Farris, Jane Jackson and the members of Bethel Methodist Church for their faithful visits and compassionate care during the past 14 years and to the staff at Henderson Care Facility where she lived in assisted care for the past two years.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m., Sunday, January 19, 2025 in the Fellowship Hall at Bethel Methodist Church, 5011 Dysartsville Road, Morganton, NC. The funeral will follow at 3 p.m. in the church sanctuary with Ellen’s brother, Rev. Donald Farris, officiating.

Memorial contributions should be directed to Bethel Church Cemetery Fund, 5011 Dysartsville Road, Morganton, NC, 28655, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research, Grand Central Station, P. O. Box 4777, New York, NY.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.