Obituary of Michele Cellini Broadfoot

Michéle Cellini Broadfoot passed away on January 6, 2021 after a multi-year battle with ovarian cancer. 

Michéle was born in Pittsburg but throughout her early years lived in Washington, DC, where her mother, Nella Manes, was a prominent advertising executive.  Although Michéle was an only child, she grew up in a large household of aunts and uncles, as well as her maternal grandparents, Benvenuto and Liberatta Cellini, who immigrated to the US from Pescara, Italy early in the last century.  The Cellini’s were intensely proud of their Italian heritage, most especially their Abruzesse cuisine, considered by many to be the best in Italy.  Special dinners, many times attended by friends as well as family members, featured mouthwatering food and spirited conversation, and often stretched the family dining room to its limits.  Wanting to pass down these traditions for future generations, Michéle recently authored “Bella Cuicina” a cookbook/memoir dedicated to her granddaughters, on whom she always doted.

Michéle was a 1968 graduate of Goucher College where she majored in history.  Later she served on the Goucher board as the alumni representative.  Always a voracious reader, she often amazed her family with her knowledge of seemingly obscure facts, especially those involving ancient history.  This came in very handy for crossword puzzles, which Michéle loved to do.

While at Goucher Michéle met her future husband, James (Jamie) Broadfoot, who was attending the US Army Intelligence School.

In 1968, following Michéle's graduation and Jamie’s return from service in Viet Nam, the couple were married in Washington.

For most of the 1970’s and 80’s they lived in Baltimore where they raised their children, Francesca and Elliot, and Jamie was a vice president of T. Rowe Price Associates.  During these years, Michéle started two small businesses, but was primarily involved with volunteer work.  She was a member of the Junior League, and was an active fundraiser, often-chairing events for organizations that included the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Walters Art Gallery, the Garrison Forest School, and League for the Handicapped.  After the couple relocated to Boca Raton in 1990 Michéle continued her volunteer work, serving two terms as president of the Boca Raton Historical Society.  In 2017, they relocated to Charlotte in order to spend more time with their children and grandchildren.

Dearly beloved by her family and many friends, Michéle will long be remembered for her warm and effervescent personality, stylish good looks, and great sense of humor.  She is survived by her husband, her children Francesca Maines and Elliot Broadfoot, grandchildren Anne Cellini Maines, Marshall, Sumner, and CeCe Broadfoot, as well as a plethora of aunts, uncles, and cousins, and her cat Cleo.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of, Michéle C. Broadfoot, to MD Anderson Cancer Center, Moonshot Ovarian, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or www.mdanderson.org/gift

A funeral mass will be held at at 10:30 -11:30 am, Thursday, January 14, 2021 at The Cathederal of Patrick, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte, NC  28203.  The Mass will be livestreamed and can be seen at https://youtu.be/pCgMv1GkRB0