Nell L. Tumminello, former Group Sales Director for the Mechanic Theatre, who retired to Anne Arundel County, died of natural causes Sunday at home under care of Hospice of the Chesapeake. The long-time Baltimore resident had just turned 97.

Mrs. Tumminello, born Anele Lelia Waitekunas on Hollins Street on December 28, 1910, was the fourth and last surviving child of tailors Petras and Ona Waitekunas. Her family moved around Little Lithuania as her father rehabbed and resold houses, eventually settling on Fremont Ave. She met her husband of 71 years, Joseph V. Tumminello, in 1918 at Number One School on Green Street across from Westminster Church. In the 1920's she studied Lithuanian language and culture under the poet and scholar Nadas Rastenis. After graduation from Western High School in 1930, Nell worked at the Baltimore headquarters of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company as executive secretary. Married at Sts. Phillip and James, Mr. and Mrs. Tumminello were long-time residents of Ednor Gardens where they raised 3 daughters. Nell then resumed her career in the 1970's, working as Group Sales Director for The Morris A. Mechanic Theatre.

She had a talent for selling out the entire theatre for fundraising events, drawing the attention of the Nederlander brothers who traveled to Baltimore to meet the face behind the sales figures. They were surprised by the diminutive and quiet lady who actively sought out both large and small professional and civic groups as repeat clients. The Nederlanders promptly enticed her to work in New York and Detroit, an offer she repeatedly declined, choosing to stay in her beloved Baltimore. She shared conversations and correspondence with theatre people who passed through the city, steering them toward favorite restaurants like Marconi's, Burke's, and The Chesapeake, enjoying equally stars like Rudolph Nureyev and Carol Channing, backstage technicians, and soon-to-be-replaced ingénues who ended their stint in the show in Baltimore.

She was a frequent speaker at Baltimore club lunches, regaling her audience with stories of the illusions of lighting and props and with stage lore, like Betty Grable's counting the house as she crossed the stage during Hello Dolly. When asked if the facts of one particular story were true, Nell replied, "Wouldn't you rather repeat it without knowing?"

Nell pursued many interests. A traditional homemaker, she enjoyed cooking for family and friends and gave cooking instruction for younger neighbors in Ednor Gardens. With her family, Nell gardened and frequently visited Sherwood and Longwood Gardens, the National Arboretum, and area museums, concert halls and theatres. She instilled in her daughters her life-long love of reading developed as a child at the Central Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. She excelled at Scrabble and delighted in singing a wide repertoire ranging from Tin Pan Alley, Broadway show tunes, jazz and pop standards of the 1920's, '30's, and '40's, and Lithuanian folk songs. Retiring on the Magothy River, she and her husband took courses at Anne Arundel Community College in their seventies. In her eighties, she routinely swam a mile twice a week.

She endeared herself to the staff and volunteers of Hospice of the Chesapeake by surviving more than 2 ½ years beyond predictions and by maintaining a cheerful and determined spirit, a gentle and gracious hostess devoted to her family and sharing the simple pleasures of life.

Her husband predeceased her in 2006. She is survived by three daughters, Anne Marie Helbing of Ellicott City, Frances T. Senft and Anelle R. Tumminello, both of Arnold, four grandsons in Virginia, New York, Texas, and Washington, eight great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing was private. A Mass of Resurrection will be offered at St. Andrew by the Bay in Annapolis on Monday, January 21, at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice of the Chesapeake, St. Andrew by the Bay, Lithuanian Mercy Lift, or Enoch Pratt Free Library.