Rita Ann Petrillo

Rita Ann Petrillo, a woman known for her unwavering faith, dedicated work ethic, and immense love for her family, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, at the age of 79. She was a lifelong resident of the area, known for her sharp mind, her kind heart, and the joy she found in life's simplest pleasures.
Born on March 5, 1946, at Somerset Hospital in Somerville, NJ, Rita was the daughter of the late Mary and Carmen Stanziola. She grew up in the community she would later serve, graduating from Middlesex High School, where she remained a lifelong resident. After graduation, Rita spent over 20 years as a saleswoman in the building supplies industry at Middlesex Lumber. Her colleagues and customers knew her as a professional who was both knowledgeable and personable. Outside of her career, Rita was a woman of deep spiritual conviction and a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church, where she found great comfort and a sense of community. In 1966, she married her loving husband, Anthony Charles Petrillo, a war veteran and steelworker. Together, they raised two beautiful children, Carmen and Colette. While Rita was proud of her career, her true "job" and greatest joy was her family. She was the quintessential grandmother, often found at the local pond feeding the ducks with her grandchildren-a tradition that created lasting memories. At home, she was an avid fan of game shows and could often be found relaxing with a wordsearch book in her hand.
Rita is now reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Anthony Charles Petrillo; her brother, Anthony Stanziola; her daughter, Colette Tarsan, and Colette's husband, Mark Korsu; and her parents, Mary and Carmen Stanziola. Her legacy of love continues through her surviving family, which includes her son, Carmen Petrillo, and his wife, Michelle Secero, as well as her grandchildren, Kayla Tarsan, Kevin Abreu, and Gabrielle Petrillo. Rita will be remembered for her resilience, her devotion to her faith, and the quiet, steady love she provided to everyone who knew her.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her viewing on Friday, January 9, 2026, beginning at 9:00 A.M. at Sheenan Funeral Home, and to her funeral mass at Our Lady of Mount Virgin, Middlesex at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield.