East Longmeadow – Gladys Margaret (Holmes) Petelle, 96, passed away peacefully on Tuesday May 10, 2022. Gladys was born on February 7, 1926 in Springfield MA to the late Hollis and Anna (Gutowski) Holmes.
Gladys grew up in East Longmeadow and stayed there her entire life. She worked at the Springfield Armory as a tool keeper, and retired as a supervisor and manager of the cafeteria in the Jewish Nursing Home in Longmeadow. Gladys was a communicant of St. Michael’s Parish in East Longmeadow.
Gladys loved to play cards with many of her friends and neighbors, she enjoyed many trips with Al to Hampton Beach, Florida, Tennessee and traveling to Italy!
Gladys leaves behind her son Joseph R Petelle and his wife Paula of Knoxville TN, her grandson Keith Petelle of Knoxville TN, her longtime companion Al Mercieri of East Longmeadow MA, and his children Mary-Lou Cushing (Randy), Steve Mercieri (Mary), Lori Gaines (Dan), and Sue McMahon (Rich).
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Joseph Z Petelle in 1980, and her grandson Steven in 1995.
She will be missed by many especially her bonus grandchildren Heather, Geoff, Colin, Evan, Liz, Kate, Jon, Becca, Colleen, and Bridget.
Calling hours will be on Wednesday May 18, 2022 from 6-8pm in Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 N Main St., East Longmeadow MA. Her funeral service will be Thursday May 19, 2022 at 10 am in the funeral home, followed by her Burial in Gates of Heaven Cemetery, Springfield MA. To leave an online condolence, visit www.forastiere.com.