Joanne T. Petrella
OBITUARY
Joanne T. Petrella of Scranton died Tuesday peacefully at home. She and her late husband, Ralph A. Petrella, were married 51 years.
Born July 24, 1935 to Stanley and Victoria Redgel, Joanne spent her early years in West Scranton, where she graduated from West Scranton High School in 1953. She would go on to marry her husband, Ralph, in 1957. They would eventually settle in the East Mountain section of Scranton in 1966, where they would become members of the former Holy Name of Jesus Church and raise their three children while cherishing their wonderful neighbors for the remainder of their lives.
Throughout her life, she would work may jobs but mostly enjoyed working part time at the Penn State Worthington-Scranton Bookstore, where she enjoyed assisting students whenever possible. Joanne would eventually retire to spend as much time as possible with her children and grandchildren. Taking pride in everything she would accomplish, she never had a bad word to say about anyone she met along the way and was loved by all who met her.
Joanne enjoyed Penn State Football, cooking excellent meals, spending time with neighbors and friends, and four trips to Italy with her husband. Most importantly, Joanne’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her family, whom she loved dearly. She took enjoyment in the smallest activities with them; whether it be a family dinner or a simple phone call, nothing was more important to her than the company of her family.
Surviving are children, son, Ralph and wife, Laura, Virginia; daughter, Maria Serra and husband, Mark, Moscow; son Joseph and wife, Kathryn, Garnet Valley; grandchildren, Rebecca Petrella-Grose and husband Zacharie, Ross Petrella and wife Shani Levit, and Vance Petrella and wife Kasie-Marie; Dominic Serra and wife Alison, and Gina Serra; Anthony Petrella and wife Jessica, Jennifer and fianc Brandon Magown, and Nicholas Petrella; great-grandchildren Maya Petrella; Amelia Serra; Evelynne and Arthur Petrella; sisters-in-law Joan Redgel and Dorothy Pipcho.
She was also preceded in death by a brother Robert J. Redgel, and brother-in-law Robert Pipcho.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 10 am in St. Theresa of Calcutta Parish, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, 1217 Prospect Ave., Scranton. Family and friends may pay their respects Tuesday morning from 9-10 am in the church. Interment Cathedral Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered at www.facingourrisk.org
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Miller Bean Funeral Home Inc., 436 Cedar Ave., Scranton.
Please visit the funeral home website to leave an online condolence.
Joanne T. Petrella
March 10, 2026