In Memoriam

Mary Kopfinger Petrilla
Class of '46

Mary Kopfinger Petrilla, 85, a member of the SJC Class of 1946, died December 16, 2009, in Hamilton Square, NJ, where she had resided for more than half a century.

During her teaching and school administration career that spanned more than 45 years, Mary touched the lives of thousands of children in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey in class and through at-home instruction. She was instrumental in influencing and guiding many foreign-born students in educational pursuits.  She held the distinction of being one of the first women principals in the Pennsbury, NJ, School District, and she spent many years of her career serving students in Ewing Township, NJ, schools.

Mary, along with her husband, Stephen T. Petrilla, and their children, spent many happy vacations traveling the country together.  In their later years, Mary and Stephen enjoyed cruises and drove the entire length of the Alaska Highway on one of their many excursions.

A former parishioner of SS Peter & Paul Church, Mary was an active member of their Rosary Society, and the First Catholic Slovak Union.  She was a member of St. Gregory the Great Roman Parish, where she received loving attention from their Helping Hands volunteer program.  She was a proud member of the SJC Alumnae Association, the DAV Auxiliary and Elks Auxiliary #1145.

Mary was predeceased by her husband and their son Mark.

She is survived by her children, Caroline Petrilla-Sagnip (Ron); Karyn Witt (Paul Morten); John Petrilla (Jane); and Tami Witt (Mike Haubrich). Also surviving her are her grandchildren, Stephen (Ann) and Rachel Witt; Alicia Pointer (Jesse Marzullo); Alex and Nathan Witt; and Christine, Jennifer and Michelle Petrilla.  Her great-grandson, Benjamin Witt, was a special joy in her life, as was her niece Pattianne Pfeffer (Harry). Many other nieces, nephews, friends and relatives will remember Mary for her generous heart and quick wit. 

The family suggested memorial contributions to a charity long-supported by Mary, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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