Nicolina Petrella

November 1, 1933 - August 16, 2021

Nicolina Petrella, 87, entered into eternal rest on Monday, August 16, 2021. Born Nicolina Carissimi, in Petrella Tifernina, Italy, she devoted her life to her family. Nicolina found joy and fulfillment in all her life’s roles; daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend and above all grandmother and great-grandmother. Her relationships were real, filled with teasing and laughter. Nicolina shined in her emotional and social life, as well as a homemaker and crafter. She was as an exceptional seamstress, knitter, gardener, cook and hostess. Her dinners delighted family and friends, her desserts were the highlight at every birthday, wedding and holiday. Her 26 course Thanksgiving dinners were legendary. Hospitality was her gift; she entertained family, friends and their extended families with a full heart; and everyone left her house feeling loved, accepted and special. Nicolina is survived by her loving children; Antonietta (Mark) Stanfield, Ennio (Lisa) Petrella, Mary Grace Peterson and Sofia (Mark) Carey; grandchildren; Eric (Jackie) Stanfield, Michael (Andrea) Petrella, Cara and Rae Peterson, Vanessa and Victoria Carey; great granddaughter Trinah Stanfield; sister-in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews and friends. Nicolina was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years; Fausto Petrella, her parents; Raffaele and Antonietta Carissimi, her brothers; Gaetano and Antonio Carissimi; son-in-law Greg Peterson; and grandson Karl Stanfield. Funeral mass is Saturday August 28, 2021, at 11:00am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1025 S. Union Street, Traverse City, 49684. Family visitation will precede Mass from 10:00am to 11:00am at St. Francis Church. To view the mass online, please go to www.sfparish.org. Click on the Facebook or YouTube link. It will be available around 10:50 am the morning of the mass. Please make memorial contributions to St. Francis Capital Fund in honor of Apostles of Mercy, who attended to Nicolina’s spiritual needs for the past 5 years.