In Memory of Sr. Mary Nicoletta Petillo, ASCJ
Posted March 4, 2011
Sr. Nicoletta was born in New York, New York on September 5, 1913, the daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Barone) Petillo. Sr. Nicoletta entered the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on January 29, 1939, professed First Vows in 1941 and Final Vows in 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Sr. Nicoletta spent her more than sixty years of active ministry serving in schools and parishes in Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Missouri and California. Sr. Nicoletta also taught at the Collegio Santa Margarieta in LaPlata, Argentina for three years. In the later years of her ministry, Sr. Nicoletta served in parish ministry in California and then in pastoral ministry in St. Ann Parish and at Arden House, Hamden, Connecticut. During her years at Sacred Heart Academy, Sister shared her great love for our Eucharistic Lord with the students as she worked with the Handmaids of the Blessed Sacrament. Throughout her life, Sr. Nicoletta had a special love for the less fortunate and graciously provided for the needs of the poor wherever she ministered. Sister had earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri, a Master’s Degree in Education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a Diploma in Spanish from the Real Universidad Maria Cristina in El Escoriol, Spain. She retired to Sacred Heart Manor in Hamden, Connecticut in 1987 where she ministered to the Sisters as a nursing aide until her health no longer enabled her to do so. Surely all of her religious sisters who predeceased her were there to greet her at her heavenly homecoming.
Sr. Nicoletta was predeceased by her parents, her brothers, Joseph, Angelo, Eugene and Vincent, and her sisters Rose Maffoni and Florence Miranda. She is survived by her many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews and many beloved Sister Apostles, her religious family.
Sister’s funeral mass was celebrated on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at Sacred Heart Manor Chapel. Interment followed immediately afterwards at All Saints Cemetery in North Haven, Connecticut. Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Manor, 261 Benham Street, Hamden, CT 06514.
