It is always difficult to write a post about the passing of a family member. Today is no exception.
Filomena Phyllis Tanzillo – Muller (1924) passed away 16 March, 2018.
Phyllis, known as Mena to those who loved her, was the daughter of Frank Tanzillo (1895 – 1966) and Erminia Langellotti (1901 -1932).
Phyliss was named after her grandmother Filomena DeLellis – Langellotti.
Her grandparents Filomena (1878) was born in San Gregorio, Caserta, Campania. She married Giuseppe (Joseph) Langellotti (1876) also from San Gregorio, (this is correction on the wrong birth place place first posted for Giuseppe) on June 9, 1900 in San Gregorio. In 1904 Giuseppe immigrated to the U.S. settling in New York. Soon to follow was his wife Filomena along with daughter Erminia and son Vincenzo James. Giuseppe and Filomena went on to have 5 more children born here in New York.
Phyllis’s mother, Erminia (Emily) was sister to my grandmother Catherine (Kate) Langellotti – Civitano. Their families were intertwined and connected through so much history, shared family living spaces, laughter and tears. It is rich in memories for those that remain.
Phyllis was married on September 10, 1949 to Frederick Muller who preceded her in death along with her sister Angelina Lucy (2004) and brother Bernard (2016)
Filomena Phyllis Tanzillo will be laid at rest at St Raymond’s Cemetery, Bronx, along with many other members of the family, including her parents.
I never had the opportunity to meet Mena or her family, in fact I have not had the opportunity to meet any members of the Langellotti side of my family. But as their stories were shared with me, names repeated, histories recorded; as with most stories, they begin to take on a life of their own, memories of those ‘who knew’ become memories for me ‘who didn’t know.’
In honor of
Filomena Phyllis Tanzillo – Muller
Forever loved by those who remember

HI Sharon!
Yaayyy—it’s nice to see the name Filomena DeLellis in your post. She was my grandfather’s youngest sister. Sooo interesting to read about Filomena Tanzillo-Muller’s marriage in San Gregorio.
Thank you very much for continuing your wonderful emails about our mutual family.
Happy Easter and springtime to you!
Sandi DeLellis Simon
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
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Hi Sandy~ I really hope to get to the DeLellis family sometime this year. It was Filomena DeLellis who married Giuseppe Langellotti in San Gregorio 🙂 Happy Easter and spring springing to you and your family.
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I am so sorry for your loss. I know that even though you never met, it is nevertheless a personal loss.
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Thank you Amy. I really wish I could be in NY with my Uncle and stepMom at this time. They were very fond of her. Doing genealogy really does bring those you don’t really know extremely close in a very personal way.
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Yes, it’s amazing. I recall how sad I was my cousin Marjorie died even though I’d never met her. The hour I spent with her on the phone is one I will never forget.
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deepest sympathy, I am sorry, but I do not think I know this side of the family, it seems a little confusing. In any event, my condolences to you and family.
Sincerely,
Rose
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Thank you Rose, I know my Uncle Joe will appreciate your post on the blog with your condolences. Please don’t be confused. You are on track with not knowing this side of the family. It is not on the Civitano side. It is on my grandfather Frank’s wife’s side.
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Sharon, we just hung up and I logged on to gmail. Thanks for the beautiful piece re Mena…You are the most thoughtful…I only hope that some others can see and appreciate it. (PS I never even knew where my grandpa hailed from in Italy, til now).
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I know it was a difficult day for you and I enjoyed our talk after the wake. Thank you for your kind words. I am delighted to share that new information with you on your grandfather. I had no idea you didn’t know. I hope to begin blogging on this side of the family soon although it is still research in progress.
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