Sara (Gelardi) Pettinelli of Medford, 77, died suddenly at her home on Tuesday. She was the wife of the late Louis Pettinelli. Born in Boston, MA, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Mary (Gianni) Gelardi.
Raised and educated in Boston she graduated from Roxbury Girls High school and later received her BS in Education from Framingham State in 1946. Sara made her home in Medford for the past fifty-three years and taught art and home economics in the Arlington, Newton and Worcester School systems, very inovative, she was one of the first to invite boys in the home economic food program.
She retired early to pursue a professional painting career, she was a longtime member of the Lexington Art´s & Craft Society and Painter´s Guild and her art was displayed in Art Store´s in Belmont, East Longmeadow, and North Hampton. Active in her community, she enjoyed volunteering at Courtyard Nursing Care Center of Medford and was a active member of St. Raphael Parish, Medford.
She is survived by Nephew: Anthony Pettinelli Braintree, MAMany Loving Nieces & Nephews. Predeceased husband: Louis Pettinelli
Her funeral will be held from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Friday, January 18, at 8:30 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Raphael Church, 512 High St., Medford at 9:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home 306 Main St. Medford on Thursday, January 17, 2-4 & 7-9. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.