Mary (Donahue) Petrocelli, longtime resident of Reading passes away

Mary (Donahue) Petrocelli, of Reading and Gloucester, Massachusetts, beloved wife of the late Neil Domenic Petrocelli, passed away October 7, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and her devoted canine companion, Lucca.

Mary will be remembered for her strong work ethic, quick wit, advocacy and love of animals, and passion for world travel with her husband and best friend, Neil.

She found her greatest joy by the ocean. Gloucester and Rockport, were Mary's treasured second homes, where she enjoyed the beauty of the sea, spending time with family and friends and, in later years, with her beloved dogs, McDuff and Lucca Antonio, certified therapy dog.

Following Neil's passing, Mary spent 14 cherished summers in Rockport, where she formed many dear friendships. She especially enjoyed sitting beneath her favorite tree at Back Beach, sharing wine with friends while overlooking the ocean, with Lucca by her side. A proud member of the Gloucester Elks, Mary sponsored many friends into membership.

A graduate of Northeastern University, Mary began her career as a medical technician and later worked in staff training at Lahey Clinic .She also served as a Financial Aid Counselor at Endicott College, and as a Technical Writer for the Massachusetts State Police, medical groups, and Raytheon Company. In retirement, Mary volunteered with Dog B.O.N.E.S. Therapy Dogs alongside her therapy dog, Lucca, visiting local nursing homes and Girl Scout troops.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Anita Petrocelli of Reading; Eileen Petrocelli of Ipswich ; Janice Petrocelli Burgess and her husband, Thomas, of Ipswich; and Nancy Petrocelli Bejtlich and her husband, Greg, of New Hampshire; her grandchildren, Morgan and Jillian Bejtlich; her brother and sister-in-law, Fran and Mary Donahue; and her much-loved nephew, Fran Donahue and his wife, Cathy. Mary also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who she cherished.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston; Dr. Mark Webster of Dental Health Concepts in North Reading; Dr. Johnson Wong of Allergy and Asthma Associates at MGH ; and the Massachusetts General Hospital teams in Cardiology, Neurology, Urology, Gastroenterology, and the Pacemaker Clinic for their unwavering dedication, exceptional medical care, and compassionate support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and every stage of Mary's healthcare journey. Their kindness, expertise, and commitment brought comfort and strength to Mary and her family and will always be remembered with deep appreciation.

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; the Massachusetts General Hospital Cardiology Department in honor of Dr Gail Semigran ; or Massachusetts General Hospital Parkinson's Disease Research, in honor of Dr. Stephen Gomperts: https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate.