Evelyn Petrelli

Southbridge- Evelyn Pauline Ashby Petrelli, 89, of Southbridge, passed away on April 19, 2016, due to complications of a stroke.  She was born in 1927 in Calais, ME to the late Frank H. and Lillian (Alexander) Ashby.  She was married to Albert Petrelli on March 29, 1947; he predeceased her in 1985.   Evelyn was a proud member of Central Baptist Church in Southbridge, where she taught Sunday School for a number of years.

 Evelyn retired from the Jacob Edwards Memorial Library, where she introduced many people to the joys of reading.  She was very active in the activities of her adopted home.  She was a founding member of the Southbridge Historical Society, a board member of the Tri-Valley Elder Service, a member of the Southbridge Historical Commission, a member of the Bicentennial Committee until her illness, a longtime supporter of the Gateway Players, a member of the Red Hatters, a board member of the Historic District Study Commission, a member of the Southbridge Betterment Committee, and a volunteer for Hospice.  Evelyn was very active in the Ecumenical Fellowship at her church and was a longtime volunteer and member of the Friends of the Library.  She also participated in a 20-year long study for the Women’s Health Initiative and was a longtime blood donor for the American Red Cross.  Evelyn and her late husband Al were the original owners of Ideal Driving School.

Evelyn is survived by three sons, Bruce Petrelli and his wife Joanne, of Appomattox, VA, Raymond Petrelli and his fiancée Wendy Cole, of Southbridge, and Steven Petrelli and his wife JoAnn of Norton; seven grandsons, David, Chris, Phillip, Daniel, John, Steve, and Joseph; six great-grandchildren, Kathyrn, Lauryn, Eryn, Brian, Brett, and West; a sister Eunice Bothwich of Calais, ME; a niece Lona Blodgett, and many other nieces and nephews. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at the Central Baptist Church, 256 Main Street, Southbridge.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Central Baptist Church, PO Box 886, Southbridge, MA 01550.