Obituary of Mildred L. Petrella

Mildred "Millie" Petrella, age 93, one month shy of her 94th birthday, of Cortland, New York, passed away on February 11th (her deceased beloved sister Peggy's birthday) from natural causes. Born on March 11, 1930, Millie was blessed and accomplished playing many roles as loving wife of over 60 years to Louis Petrella, as well as sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, seamstress, accountant, business entrepreneur, teacher, gifted artist, caregiver, and church leader. (And we should add daredevil, as she parachuted out of a plane to celebrate her 80th birthday.) Strong and enduring right up to the end, Millie fought several health issues during the past several years, and continued to be a model of inspiration, love, gratitude, acceptance, and endurance for her family, friends, and caregivers. She was well known for her gentle words of advice and guidance. She always approached life with creativity, understanding, confidence, and optimism, but most of all, love. In fact, one of her pastors described Millie as a living saint given her contributions to the church and the caretaking she provided to elders in the congregation and her brother Teddy Lockwood and sister Sareta Leet, and being a teacher to the youngest in the church. Surviving Millie are her 5 children, Louis Jr., Nick (Terri) Petrella, Mark Petrella, Luann Borden, and Carla West, her sister Sareta Leet and brother Ray DuMond, 12 grandchildren, Chastity (Jim) Hoblet, Nicole Petrella, Steve Petrella, Kevin Petrella, Alyssa (Jay) Michel, Brandon Hightchew, Brack Hightchew, Briana Borden, Autumn West, Eden West, Rachel Petrella, and Luke Petrella; and 5 great grandchildren Austin Hoblet, Eva Hoblet, Colson Michel, Eliana Hightchew, and Emma Hightchew. She also is survived by many nieces and nephews. Millie has joined her husband Lou Sr., father Orin Lockwood, mother Ruth DuMond, sister Peggy McCall, and sister Shirley Withey, The family feels comforted knowing Millie and Louie are dancing among the stars in the heavens above delighting in the love and family they generated on Earth. Calling hours for Millie will be held Sunday, February 18th from 2pm-5pm at WRIGHT-BEARD Funeral Home, 9 Lincoln Avenue, Cortland, NY. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 19th at 10:30am at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 50 Pomeroy Street, Cortland, NY. In lieu of flowers and in gratitude of the loving care given to Millie by the many caregivers at Portzline, the family requests donations be sent to Portzline, 5590 US Route 11, Homer, NY, 13077.