Jun 15, 1935 — Oct 7, 2026
Mary (Donahue) Petrocelli, of Reading and Gloucester, Massachusetts, beloved wife of the late Neil Domenic Petrocelli, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Mary will be long remembered for her strong work ethic, quick wit, dedicated advocacy for animals, and her passion for traveling the world alongside her husband and best friend, Neil. She found her greatest joy by the ocean; the shores of Gloucester and Rockport were her treasured havens, where she embraced the beauty of the sea with family, including her beloved dogs, and friends.
A proud graduate of Northeastern University, Mary began her career as a medical technician before transitioning into staff training at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington. She later excelled as a Technical Writer, lending her skills to the Massachusetts State Police, various medical groups, and the Raytheon Company. In retirement, Mary channeled her love for animals into service, certifying her dog, Lucca, through Dog B.O.N.E.S. Therapy (Dogs Building Opportunities for Nurturing and Emotional Support Therapy).
Mary’s legacy lives on through her daughters: Nancy Bejtlich and her husband, Greg, of Portsmouth, NH; Janice Burgess and her husband, Tom, of Ipswich, MA; Anita Petrocelli of Reading, MA; and Eileen Petrocelli of Ipswich, MA. She was grandmother of Gregory Morgan Bejtlich and his wife, Andrea, of Goffstown, NH, and Jillian Terry and her husband, Rob, of Litchfield, NH. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Francis and Mary Donahue of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and her five nephews and their wives: Francis, Father Dennis, Matthew, Stephen, and the late Patrick, all of Michigan. Mary additionally leaves behind many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and dear friends who will forever hold her memory close.
Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to Dog B.O.N.E.S. Therapy Dogs, 38 Gardner Street, Scituate, MA 02066.
