PETRELLA

MARY ANN

It is with overwhelming sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Ann Petrella, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and especially important to Mary Ann, devoted and loyal friend. Mary Ann, born May 19, 1938, in Donora PA, to her loving parents, Ann Pacinda and Joseph Annello, peacefully left us on October 25, 2025.

Mary Ann will be remembered for many wonderful things. Her beautifully brilliant mind, her often veiled but ever-present witty sense of humor, her remarkable talent and passion for all things sewing and her voracious love of reading. Mary Ann spent countless hours reading on her couch, in her chair, and when the weather was just right, on her favorite patio swing.

Mary Ann's lifelong friendships defined some of the most precious parts of her life. These friendships blossomed while pushing baby strollers, raising a family on Portia Drive, at holiday gatherings and house parties, playing spirited card games, and being part of a book club. Having a cherished circle of friends throughout her life brought Mary Ann true happiness.

Mary Ann graduated with high honors from Clairton High School in 1956. Given her extraordinary aptitude for numbers, shortly after graduation, Westinghouse hired Mary Ann for the job of computress. In this capacity, Mary Ann performed complex manual mathematical calculations for scientific projects long before electronic computers were common. While at Westinghouse, Mary Ann met and married John Petrella, her husband of 66 years, with whom she shared three children.

After lovingly raising her children, Mary Ann returned to work as an Executive Assistant at PNC Bank. Following decades of loyal service to the bank, Mary Ann's passion for learning and teaching led her to become a Pre-K teacher's aide at St. Germaine Catholic School. There, she instilled a sense of wonder for reading and math in the young minds of the children, which gave Mary Ann fulfillment and purpose. In retirement, Mary Ann also worked many years for a local jeweler and taught community-based sewing and reading classes, which brought her immense joy. Mary Ann's last and most treasured role before passing was being a great-grandmother.

Mary Ann is preceded in death by her husband, John Edward Petrella; her daughter, Lynn Ann Gaetano (Petrella); her twin sister, Rita Mae LaFianza (Annello) and her husband, Howard H. LaFianza; and her great-grandson, Easton Jay Reed.

Mary Ann is survived by her son, John Petrella and his wife, Kim Marcus; her daughter, Jacquelyn Bauer (Petrella) and her husband, Doug Bauer. Her grandchildren, Dominick Gaetano, Marcus Gaetano, Micheal Petrella, Jacquelyn Bissinger (Petrella), Claire Morley (Bauer), Grace Bowen (Bauer), Emma Reed (Bauer); her great-granddaughter, Emersyn Morley; her niece, Elizabeth O'Rorke (LaFianza) and her husband, Michael O'Rorke and their daughter, Teresa O'Rorke; her nephew, James LaFianza and his wife, Karen Seitz-LaFianza and her son-in-law, Rick Gaetano.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., at the JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236. A blessing service will be held immediately following visitation, at 7:00 p.m., in the funeral home's chapel.

Online condolences may be shared at:

www.jeffersonmemorial.com