Paula Kessler Petito

Paula Petito, beloved daughter of Irving and Ida Kessler, wife of Dominic Petito, and mother of Janine and Robert Petito, passed away from complications of COVID early morning on April 29, 2025.

Paula faced much adversity with tremendous grace over the past few years and had successfully beaten two separate cancers. Her latest illness was unexpected and sudden, with devastating effect, and her family is heartbroken.

Paula was born in the Bronx and raised in Yonkers, New York. She graduated from Cornell University to become a dietician, working in Veterans Administration hospitals in Los Angeles, Beacon, Northport and Brooklyn for many years. With the birth of her children, Janine and Robert, she became a dedicated mother. She was a fervent supporter of the entire Chappaqua Central School District, serving on leadership of the PTA when her kids were in school. She was a fierce advocate for special education programs and believed that children with learning differences deserved the resources, attention and opportunity to achieve their academic potential.

She will be remembered for her immense love, generosity, intelligence, and her enthusiasm for cooking and feeding everyone around her.

The family will begin to celebrate her on Thursday, May 1st with a graveside ceremony, followed by a reception at her home.

The Family wishes for memorial donations to be made to either, The New York Community Trust: https://thenytrust.org/ways-to-give/give-now/ or the Feeding Westchester: https://feedingwestchester.org