Cecelia R. Petrella, 95, of Sheridan died Wednesday morning, March 22, 2017 at Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk. She was born in Sheridan on February 4, 1922, the daughter of the late Joseph and Lena (Ortolano) Pagano.
Cecelia was a lifelong area resident who graduated from Silver Creek Central School, Class of 1940. She married Michael D. Petrella on April 7, 1941, and together they raised two children, Gerald and Lucille Petrella. She belonged to the Sheridan Methodist Church, the Senior Citizens Club and the Historical Society.
After the children were grown up Cecelia went to work at her brother Bill's business, Pagano Tractor and Implement, retiring after 18 years of service. First and foremost, her life revolved around her family, she was known for her caring personality, had a heart of gold and loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include a daughter, Lucille Petrella of Westfield; three grandsons, Bradley (Debra) Petrella of Cinaminson, NJ, Jeremy (Rebecca) Petrella of Quitman, GA and Michael Petrella of Valdosta, GA; two granddaughters, Brianna and Alice Petrella; a great-grandson, Riley Petrella; two brothers, Marion (Mary Lou) Pagano and James Pagano of Silver Creek; a daughter-in-law, Darla Petrella of Valdosta, GA; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Michael D. Petrella; a son, Dr. Gerald Petrella; five brothers, William, Joseph, Steven, Salvatore "Sam" and Franklin Pagano; and three sisters, Mary Saltareli, Lena Bifaro and Hyacinth "Sis" Calcott.
A Celebration of Cecelia's Life will be held at a future date to be announced by the family.
Arrangements are by the Hole-Parker Funeral Chapel, 160 Central Ave., Silver Creek. To send the family a message of remembrance or a condolence, go to www.holeparkerfc.com.
Obituary from the Observer
