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Frances Mary Petrella, 93, of Cortland, NY peacefully passed away Sunday, May 22, 2022 at her home. She was born the second of seven daughters to Edward and Mary Ellen (Molly) O’Hara Morris in Scott, NY on July 1, 1928.
Frances graduated from St. Mary’s High School’s Class of ‘46. Soon after she was employed by the New York Telephone Company as a switchboard operator. In 1951 Frances and Anthony “Tony” Petrella were married and raised five children. Frances returned to work until her retirement from S U N Y Cortland’s Corey Union Food Service where she was very popular with students and coworkers.
Frances was a devout communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Alter and Rosary Society, Religious Education (CCD), Liturgy Committee, Bingo and the annual bazaar.
Frances loved spending time with her family, especially playing board games and cards. She was very proud of her Irish Heritage and enjoyed listening to Irish music and attending Irish festivals. She took great delight in her travels to Ireland and Israel.
Frances is survived by her five children: Michael Petrella of Cortland, Mary Anne Spano of North Carolina, Margaret Petrella of Cortland, Martin (Katy McNeill) Petrella of Rochester and Maureen Ronsvalle of Lansing, NY. Also, her five grandchildren: Brian (Lisa) Petrella, Elyse Petrella (Brian Sinsabaugh), Anthony Petrella (Alex Hunt), Dominick and Nathaniel Ronsvalle, her sister Genevieve (Anthony) Ferro, brother-in-law Fritz Mullen, sisters-in-law Susie Kriever, Betty Petrella and Millie Petrella along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Frances was preceded in death by her husband Anthony Guido Petrella in 2013 and sons-in-law Bartolo Spano and Ronald Ronsvalle. Also, her sisters and brothers-in-law: Margaret and Lee Reitano, Elizabeth (Betty) Mullen, Kathleen Morris, Patricia and William McIntyre, Helen and John Lynch, and brothers-in-law: John Petrella, Angelo and his wife Rosie Petrella, Louis Petrella and Larry Kriever.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 31st at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Prayers of committal will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. The family will be present to receive friends on Monday, May 30th from 6-8 PM in the Chapel of Riccardi Funeral Home, 69 N Main St, Cortland, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Frances’s name may be made to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital (1-800-805-5856) or St. Mary’s School, 59 N. Main St., Cortland, NY 13045. Also, condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.riccardifuneralhome.com
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