Ilaria Maria Fellers

In Loving Memory of Ilaria Ponzi Fellers (1936 – 2025) Ilaria Maria (nee Ponzi) Fellers, of Huntsville, Texas, formally of Springfield, Virginia, died peacefully on April 4, 2025. She was born on May 1, 1936, in Lucca, Italy, the seventh of eight children of Carlo and Assunta (nee Fenili) Ponzi. Ilaria grew up experiencing the difficulties of World War II and the aftermath in Lucca and Oneta, Italy. She was raised in a beautiful and loving family. She also had the opportunity to live in Germany working as an au pair, a few years after WWII, caring for children and experiencing life abroad. In January 1963, she met Donald (Don) P. Fellers who was a Lieutenant in the US Army stationed at Camp Darby, Italy. They were married in October of that year and were married for 42 years before his death in 2006. Their first child, Paul, was born to them in nearby Tirrenia. Accompanying her husband, she left Italy in 1965 with their child and came to the United States. She lived in Columbiana and Canton, Ohio; Fort Carson, Colorado; Mesa and Fort Huachuca, Arizona, returned to Italy; and Springfield, Virginia. She moved to Huntsville, TX, a couple years after her husband’s passing to be near her daughter and grandchildren. She became a U.S. Citizen in 1975. She volunteered with the American Red Cross and assisted at her children’s schools. When her children were older, she worked at Adele’s Uniform Boutique in Springfield, Virginia for 10 years. She was interested in ancient world history, genealogy, traveling, classical music and enjoyed reading. She liked to walk and for several years exercised weekly with the Sittercise Group at the Huntsville Public Library. She sewed many of the dresses that she wore to the Army dances that she attended with Don. She was a devout Catholic and regularly watched EWTN. She had four children: Paul in Italy, David in Colorado, Judy in Virginia, and Kathy in Arizona, such is the life of an Army wife. She supported many charities including EWTN, St. Vincent de Paul, and Smile Train among others. Ilaria leaves her son, David Fellers (Julie) of San Carlos, California, her daughter, Judy Oliver (Will) of Huntsville, Texas, and her daughter, Kathy Fellers (Sean Wardwell) of Mt. Pleasant, Utah. She was Nonna to four grandchildren: Paul Oliver (Beatriz), James Oliver (Brianna), Mark Oliver, and Sarah Oliver (Anthony). She was Bisnonna to three great grandchildren: Maria, Alice and James, Jr. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her husband, her son, Paul, and her grandson, Mark. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 1323 16th Street, Huntsville, Texas, Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Prior to the Mass, the Rosary will be prayed at 10 a.m. The Interment will take place in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, on a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ilaria’s name to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Thomas Catholic Church, 1603 Ave N, Huntsville, Texas 77340. The family is greatly indebted to her caregivers, Georgia, Candy, Carolyn and Erica, of Home Health Care of Huntsville for their wonderful care of our mom. Plus, the family is grateful for the help from 1st Choice Hospice.

Ilaria Maria Fellers

May 1, 1936 - April 4, 2025