Mrs. Costa was the daughter of the late Salvatore Petrillo Sr. and Alexandrina (Maddeleno) Petrillo. Born in 1925, she was a lifetime resident of Fall River, growing up in the Columbus Park neighborhood. She also attended B.M.C. Durfee High School.
To Toni, her family was her world. She loved, cherished, and surrounded herself with family and friends through her lifetime, gathering as often as possible. She enjoyed old Western movies and was a true Red Sox fan, watching game upon game. She enjoyed playing cards, traveling and cooking, especially famous for her cast iron pan cooked meatballs.
She was a lifelong member of Holy Rosary Church, a member of their Women’s Guild and volunteer. Together with her sisters and other ladies she supplied the Festa Italiana and other parish gatherings with endless meatballs. In 1994, Mrs. Costa represented Holy Rosary and was awarded the Marian Medal by Bishop O’Malley for her dedication and tireless support of the church. She celebrated and embraced her Italian heritage in many ways and was a proud member of the Sons and Daughters of Italy, Vittorio Veneto #1035.
She worked in the garment industry and was a presser at the Shelburne Shirt Company for many years and she was a former member of Amalgamated Garment Workers Union. After her retirement, Toni returned to work at the Ralph M. Small School as a cafeteria supervisor feeding countless children into her eighties. Additionally, she was a volunteer at the Fall River Boys and Girls Club.
During these last few years, Toni was an active resident of the Fall River Jewish Home. She enjoyed drawing, painting, singing and playing bingo, living out her days to the fullest, discovering her new talents and finding joy in her art.
Mrs. Costa is survived by her daughter, “Betty Ann” Petrillo-Abdallah and her husband John Abdallah of Westport; her sister, Mrs. August (Theresa) Petrucci; and her granddaughter, Lisa Ann Cousineau and her partner Kenneth Barlow of Fall River. She was the sister of the late Mary Cosmos, Adolph Petrillo, Jessie Staibano and Salvatore Petrillo Jr., as well as, the great grandmother of the late Gianna Elizabeth Barlow. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff of the Fall River Jewish Home for the care and compassion they provided.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, February 4 from 4:00pm to 5:30 pm at the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Cherry Place, 178 Winter Street, Fall River. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 5 at 10:00am. in St. Joseph’s Church, 1335 North Main St., Fall River followed by private interment in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Toni’s service will be available on Livestream found under her services on www.waring-sullivan.com.
Contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Fall River, 803 Bedford St., Fall River, MA 02723 in her memory.
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Boys and Girls Club of Fall River803 Bedford Street, Fall River, MA 02723
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