Darlene Petrella Obituary

Darlene Petrella

March 4, 1939 - August 10, 2024

Darlene G. Petrella (nee Grant), 85 of Corbin City, NJ, passed away peacefully in her home on August 10, 2024. Born on March 4, 1939, Darlene was the daughter of Henry Joseph Sinclare Grant I and Elizabeth Penn Grant (both deceased).

She was raised in Bridgeton, NJ. and earned her High School Diploma at Bridgeton High School in 1956, where she was top-rated on their Women's Varsity Tennis Team. After high school, she enrolled in Trenton State Teachers College. At that time, there were no Women's Tennis Teams throughout the State of New Jersey. Therefore, she asked the Coach to be a member of his male Tennis Team. The Coach told her to challenge anyone of his male athletes to a match and upon winning, he would accept her on his team. Darlene won the match and became the first female ever to play tennis at a New Jersey college.

She received her Bachelor's Degree and Teaching Certificate from Trenton State and a Master's Degree from Glassboro State College. Darlene taught one year at Bridgeton High School and forty years at Millville Junior High School (MJHS) as Teacher and Department Head of Special Education. She was also the Social Director at MJHS and maintained high morale among the teachers there. Also, she was the school's Drama Director and put on Broadway plays in the school's auditorium using teachers and students as the actors for many years.

Darlene was a very positive, loving, ambitious, caring, and compassionate person throughout her entire life. She enjoyed reading, writing, traveling, playing tennis, swimming, attending church, helping others, and spending time with her loved ones.

Darlene is survived by her husband of 65 years, Andrew T. Petrella; and her son, Andrew G. Petrella Sr. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Susan Hauck; granddaughter, Alissa M. Petrella; as well as many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brother, Sonny Grant; son, Lance A. Petrella; and her grandson, Andrew G. Petrella Jr.

A viewing for Darlene will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Langley Loveland Funeral Home, 2315 Rt 50, Tuckahoe. Services will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 10 a.m., at Church of the Resurrection, 200 Tuckahoe Rd, Marmora. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.LangleyLovelandFuneralHome.com. To send flowers for the service, please visit https://www.anenchantingflorist.com.

Langley-Loveland Funeral Home

2315 Route 50, Tuckahoe, NJ 08250