Longtime resident, volunteered at Batchelder School
Published January 3, 2019
MILFORD — Claire M. (Mazzarelli) Petti, 87, of Milford, passed away Friday, December 28, 2018 at the Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, R.I.
She was born in Milford, daughter of the late Guido and Carmella (Carpenito) Mazzarelli, and graduated from Milford High School, class of 1948. She received a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Boston University in 1952. In 1953, she married Leonardo “Leo” M. Petti Jr., also of Milford, and moved to Philadelphia. Two years later, prior to the birth of their oldest child, Paula, she and Leo returned to Massachusetts.
Claire and Leo were residents of North Reading for 58 years, where they raised four children. After the birth of her youngest child, Christopher, she returned to school, taking evening classes to receive two master’s degrees, one in English and one in Education, from Northeastern University. She later worked as a substitute teacher in the North Reading school system for several years. After Leo retired, she volunteered at the Batchelder Elementary School in North Reading and very much enjoyed working with the young children there.
Claire was a loving wife and mother, a fantastic cook, and an avid reader. Her interests included history, literature, and current events. She approached all of her endeavors with enthusiasm, optimism and a level of determination that often amazed her family.
Claire is survived by her children, Christopher J. Petti and his wife, Judy Atterholt, of Mountain View, Calif.; Paula L. Petti and her husband, Lawrence J. Hall, of Orinda, Calif.; Lisa M. Petti of Hamden, Conn.; and four grandchildren: Geoffrey Hall, David Hall and his wife Wei Cai, Daniel Petti and Anna Petti.
Claire was predeceased by her devoted husband of 62 years, Leo Petti; their son, Leonard F. Petti, and her sister, Pauline Mazzarelli.
Her funeral was held Wednesday, January 2 from the Consigli Ruggerio Funeral Home, 46 Water St., Milford. A Mass of Christian burial was held at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 5 East Main St., Milford. The burial followed in the Riverside Cemetery on Elm Street in North Reading.
Calling hours were held Tuesday. To offer online condolences visit www.consigliruggeriofuneralhome.com.
