Mary A. Petrelli – 89 – of 61 Delaware Ave., Hornell, died Sunday evening (May 9, 2021) at her home, following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on May 24, 1931 and was the daughter of Frank & Felice (Orologio) Petrelli.

Mary grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1949).  She later attended the former Hornell Federal Commercial School.

She had been employed for a time at the former Russ Davis Motor Sales in Hornell.  On October 1, 1951 she began working for the New York State Department of Labor as a stenographer, retiring in March of 1991 following 39 ½ years of service.  Following her “retirement” she was employed part-time for 12 years in the Codes Enforcement Office for the City of Hornell.

For many years, Mary served as a volunteer at the former St. James Mercy Hospital Gift Shop before having medical problems.  She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a lifelong communicant of St. Ann’s Church where she was active in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel.  Mary was also a member of the Ladies auxiliary of the Sons of Italy (Italian-American Women’s Club) and the Ladies of Columbus.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her sisters, Patricia “Pat” Sciotti (died 2004), Gladys Petrilli (died 2011), and Santa Cleveland (died 2020); her brother, Angelo Petrillo (died 2002); brothers-in-law, Anthony Sciotti and Walter Cleveland; sisters-in-law, Sandi Petrillo and Myrna Petrelli.

Surviving are her brother, Dominick Petrelli of Wellsville, NY; her nieces, Angela Fee of Ogdensburg, Mary (Fred) Klindt of Cohocton, Lisa (Todd) Grady of Ohio, Angelina (Dennis) Huffman of Ohio, Michelle Petrillo of California and Debbie (Neal) Barrett of Ohio, her nephews, Anthony (Debbie) Sciotti of Hornell, Walter (Joyce) Cleveland of Hornell, Mark Cleveland of Cohocton, Dan Cleveland of Buffalo, Michael Petrillo of Ohio, Andrew Petrelli of Wellsville, Roger (Jill) Peterson of Wellsville; 11 great-nieces; 7 great-nephews; many great-great-nieces & nephews.

A special “Thank-You” goes out to Mary’s devoted caregivers, Diane Sick and Rosalie Tobin.

The family of Mary A. Petrelli will receive friends on Thursday from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Mary’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to either St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 or to Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, PO Box 943, Buffalo, NY 14240