Mary Lucille Petta

Mary Lucille Petta passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 10, 2016, at Parkview Home where she had resided for the past several years. She spent her last days surrounded by her family and died in a circle of immense love and memories of a life well lived. She was born in Freeport, IL on May 9, 1921 to Lucille (Fitzpatrick) and Anton Secker, and was one of five daughters. Following her high school graduation she attended business school and then worked for a short time at the Freeport Library. She was married to Phenie Petta on October 8, 1942. They made their first home in Shannon, Illinois later moving into a home that Phenie built on Garfield St. in Freeport. Once her children were born she devoted her life to being a homemaker creating a haven for her family. Throughout her life as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Mary always put her family and her Catholic faith first. A graduate of Aquin High School she was Senior Class President and a member of the National Honor Society. She was active in St. Mary's Church and grade school. She and Phenie proudly sent all of their children to Catholic schools. Mary enjoyed playing bridge in several bridge clubs, reading, cooking, annual vacations at "The Lakes" in Rhinelander, and all family get togethers. She is survived by six children, Phenie (Diane) of Freeport, Kathy (Gary) Davis of Oregon, WI, Mike (Susi) of Madison, WI, Bob (Nancy), Mary Margaret Hartman and Teresa Petta all of Freeport. She is further survived by 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Ottie Cullinane and sister-in-law, Nina Petta. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, Anton and Lucile Secker, and her sisters Kathryn (Sister Anton) and Patricia Secker, and Elizabeth Cormack. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Rev. Kenneth Anderson, Pastor, will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. until the time of service at St. Thomas. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. The family requests memorials be made to Parkview Home, and sends a special thank you to the loving staff who through the years, with their amazing care, became her extended family. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign her online guestbook and to share memories.