TEWKSBURY: Joanne (Santacroce) (McGrath) Petrillo, age 57, passed from this world at home on Friday, May 28, 2010, following a lengthy illness.
Joanne was born on November 1, 1952 in Weymouth, the daughter of Concetta Santacroce of Norwell and the late John Santacroce.
After she graduated from Weymouth High School in 1970, Joanne relocated several times within the Merrimack Valley, settling in Tewksbury, where she raised her two daughters.
Joanne volunteered for many years with Merrimack Valley Hospice, an endeavor which she found to be such a privilege.
Joanne worked as a real estate sales associate in the 1980's, and later in various medical offices before she became a Licensed Practical Nurse and earned her certification in Hospice & Palliative Nursing. She was employed most recently at Sunny Acres Nursing Home in Chelmsford and at Shawsheen Medical Associates in Andover, where she worked until her illness.
Joanne was the cherished wife of Frank, whom she married in 1999.
She will be greatly missed by her daughters, Shannon McGrath and her husband David Hesketh of Methuen, and Michelle McGrath Johnson and her husband Timothy Johnson of Natick. Joanne's greatest comfort was that she lived long enough to watch her daughters lead the compassionate, generous, successful lives she would be most proud of.
She is also survived by Frank's three daughters, Diana Holtsberg of Groton, Monica FitzPatrick of Tyngsboro, and June Sheek of Silverdale, WA.
Joanne also leaves behind her brother and best friend, John A. Santacroce and his wife Joan of Hingham; a niece, Julie Burt of Weymouth; a nephew, James Santacroce of Cohasset; also six grandchildren, Julia and Alison Holtsberg, Liam and Sawyer FitzPatrick , Cassidy Sheek and Samuel Hesketh.
Joanne will be remembered for her quick wit and generous heart, reaching out to all who met her.
During her illness, she found much solace in reading, sewing, and spending time with the light of her life, her grandson, Sam.
Calling hours Tuesday, June 1st, from 4-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Her funeral will be held Wednesday, June 2nd, at 9 a.m., from the funeral home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., at St. Williams Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joanne's memory may be made to the Team Walk for Cancer Care, c/o Meg Lemire, Lowell General Hospital Cancer Center, Varnum Ave., Lowell, MA 01854.