On October 26, Nancy Carol Pettinelli passed away peacefully at home surrounded by several members of her loving family. Born in New Britain, Connecticut on December 27, 1938, she was the daughter of John and Madeline Pawelczyk, her mother having the maiden name of Madeline Horgan.

Nancy lived in Plainville and New Britain, CT, throughout her childhood. Soon after graduating high school, she married and had two children – Robert James Foley (Sandwich, MA) and Kathleen Ann Landry (Garden City, MI). Bobby and Kathy immediately became her central purpose and inspiration, fueling her through several challenging years until she finally found the love of her life, Alfred "S" Pettinelli. Married in 1976, they cared for each other and had years of true companionship and joy.

Nancy and Al moved to Florida in 1979 but their love of New England and children's plans drew them back to cooler climates where they lived in Vermont for decades. During this time, Nancy and Al had the pleasure of seeing both children get married and start families of their own. During these years, Nancy lived for those occasions when "the kids" would visit "Ma & Pa" in Vermont. This inspired her to spend hours in the kitchen whipping up family favorites – she was an amazing cook!

Nancy didn't have any hobbies but instead focused on relationships with those she loved. She delighted in spending long hours discussing every aspect of the lives of her kids, grandchildren, and life-long friends. Yes, she was a friend for life! And Nancy also remained a wonderful daughter who loved caring for her mother and keeping her near-by, actively involved in the family's daily activities throughout their years in Connecticut, Florida, and Vermont until Madeline's passing in 1995.

Meeting Nancy, you would immediately learn that she loved all animals, and especially her dogs whom she treated in every way like people - because they were! During hunting season, she would honk her car horn to alert the deer whenever she saw hunter's trucks parked roadside. That was Nancy!

In 2017, Nancy lost the love of her life when Alfred passed away. Proud of Alfred's service to our nation as a career Marine, Nancy made arrangements to have his remains buried at Arlington National Cemetery, an honor he earned defending our country in multiple wars. Nancy's remains also will be buried in this hallowed ground at Alfred's gravesite.

Nancy's heart had a boundless capacity for love, and she was, in-turn, loved by countless relatives, friends and neighbors who came to know her and her colorful, highly opinionated personality. In addition to her two children, Nancy leaves behind  seven grandchildren - Kimberly, Caroline, Rachel, Michael, David, Brian, Maddie, and one great-grandchild, Ralph.

Please keep our mother in your thoughts and be confident that she is now by our dad's side, watching a classic old movie, cheering on the Dallas Cowboys, listening to Tom Jones and cuddling her affectionate pets. Mom, we'll all miss you but will continue to include you in those long conversations because we know how much you care about our lives and our happiness!

A private memorial service will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ann Arbor, MI. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a small donation to any organization that saves and cares for animals. She'll like that.