Barbara Petrilli, 77, known to generations of Rockville Centre students

Lifelong Rockville Centre resident Barbara Petrilli died on March 3 at Winthrop University Hospital after a brief illness.

Petrilli was born on April 22, 1933 at South Nassau Communities Hospital to William A. and Vera Russell. She attended St. Agnes Elementary School and graduated from South Side High School in 1951. At South Side, where she was known to her many friends as “Midgie,” she was vice-president of the student government and played basketball, badminton, softball and volleyball, in addition to being a cheerleader.

She graduated from Cortland (then the State Teacher’s College) in 1955.

Petrilli taught for more than 30 years in Rockville Centre schools; mostly kindergarten, to generations of students before retiring in 1997. She attended South Side High School’s graduation ceremony every year, long after she retired. She was always interested in “her kids” as they grew up and went out into the world.

After her retirement, Petrilli spent eight years working at the Rockville Centre Public Library, where another generation of youngsters grew to love “Mrs. P” at her story times and other programs.

“Barbara Petrilli was a wonderful asset to the library,” said Library Director Maureen Chiofalo. “A little while after retiring from the Rockville Centre schools she started working part-time in the Children’s Services Department. Always outgoing and involved, Barbara continued attending workshops and conferences on her own time, keeping abreast of breakthroughs and news in her field.

“When at the library,” Chiofalo added, “Barbara would often run into former students who were bringing their children to the library. She was an enthusiastic employee and whether doing a story time or just interacting with the children, she was a true professional who really enjoyed what she was doing.”

Barbara Petrilli married Leonard Petrilli, also of Rockville Centre, in 1966, and the couple had three children. When he died in 1976, she raised her children herself, something she always considered her “proudest achievement.” When she was younger she was also the beloved “Aunt Bobbie” to numerous nieces and nephews.

Petrilli was very active in the Rockville Centre community and dedicated many volunteer hours for various organizations, especially St. Agnes Parish Outreach.

A devout Catholic, she was an active member of St. Agnes Cathedral, where she taught religious education (‘Sunday School’) to parish youngsters for many years.

Petrilli was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband, and her sister Patricia. She is survived by three children: Theresa O’Connell (Sean), Jennifer Petrilli (Dwight) and Kenneth; and one grandchild, Devon, as well as her brothers, John and William.

A funeral Mass was held on March 7 at St. Agnes Cathedral. She was interred with her husband at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale. Donations in her name may be made to St. Agnes Parish Outreach.