Born in Treviso, Italy in 1938, to Ettore Sovera and Maria Della Santa Sovera. Mimi was raised in Cervia, Italy during World War II and frequently recounted tales of the occupation and what her life was like as a child. She owned one doll, whose clothes were sewn of the silk from Allied Forces parachutes. In later years, she attended secondary schools in Switzerland and London. In 1963 she married Andy Harris of Swan Quarter and immigrated to the United States. A naturalized citizen since 1972, she was very proud of being an American and never ceased reminding her children of the good fortune of living in a country that was free. A resident of Roper and Plymouth since 1971, she spent the last 12 years in Greenville to be closer to family.

A lifelong homemaker, she was devoted to her children.  In 1974 she married Ted Hill and her family became a bit larger growing to include his children, Freddy, Susan, Carol and Lawrence.

Mimi’s hobbies were varied and included knitting, painting, gardening, collecting the obscure, smoking and drinking wine. In later years she admitted that the last two were probably not such a good idea.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ted Hill, her brothers Amedeo Sovera and Giovanni Sovera, and her sister Guiliana Caffettieri.

She is survived by her daughter Samantha H. Mansfield and her husband Chris, and by her son Scott Harris and his wife Paige. She has four grandchildren separated in birth by 22 months, what she called the “busiest, most wonderful two years of her life”: Noah Mansfield, Simon Harris, Abby Harris, and Payne Mansfield. She was proud that she witnessed the birth of each of these wonderful children.

In lieu of flowers, she asked that people practice a random act of kindness. In her words, “S***… I don’t need flowers. Have them do something nice for somebody.”

Arrangements by Horner -Walker Funeral Home.  Service and visitation will be at gravesite following inurnment of her ashes at 11 am, Friday, April 26^th at Hillside Memorial Gardens in Plymouth, NC.