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Mrs. Patricia 'Tricia' A. (Cassidy) Petkiewicz
December 11, 2022

Obituary

Tricia Petkiewicz 1938-2022

Patricia Ada (Cassidy) Petkiewicz was born May 4, 1938 in Lowell, MA to parents James Patrick Cassidy and Ada Patricia (Mooney) Cassidy. And what an auspicious day it was when Tricia was born.

Tricia was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, friend, neighbor and community collaborator. She never, ever stopped giving. Service was embedded in her DNA. She passed that joy and commitment on to so, so many people. What a gift, for all of us.

Tricia matriculated at Notre Dame Academy Tyngsborough, MA and then moved on to Simmons College where she graduated in 1959 with a B.S. in Physics/Mathematics. Such a woman leader ahead of the times! And she was awarded their Alumna of the Year Award in 2003 just to prove it! Her anti-smoking work with a wonderful team in Greater Lowell was awarded a 1989 National Honor Citation from the American Cancer Society. Through this program, Tricia led a team of volunteers including physicians who taught children about the dangers of smoking using a doll named Suzy Smoker. After her career as a math teacher, she was well equipped to connect with youth across the region. She continued to impact students throughout Lowell and well beyond after her retirement from teaching. She ran a very successful math tutoring business. Her home in Lowell was buzzing with students coming for group math sessions. There are countless examples of her commitment to her community and to all of us.

Shortly after graduating from Simmons College she married her BFF Chester John (Chet) Petkiewicz of Dracut, MA, who she met at her beloved family stomping grounds of Moody Beach, ME. Chet and Tricia truly adored each other - a true love affair for the ages.

Tricia and Chet went on to build a gorgeous chalet on the shores of Chalk Pond in NH where they warmly welcomed any and all over many years. There are wonderful memories of shared experiences at the chalet and adventures on the clear waters of Chalk Pond for all of us! Later on they opened their home on the Cape - welcoming family and friends “to fall in love with old Cape Cod” (in the words of a favorite song from their courtship). Their grandchildren certainly did - thanks to many sunny beach days together with Grammie and Grumpy, as they were lovingly called.

Tricia and Chet’s love has endured until this day and will surely continue to sow seeds for all of time. They were lucky to have many, many good times and shared adventures: a summer as a family in Germany, exploring Portugal together, staying in charming pousadas across the country, and much more. Their love for one another and friendship is a beautiful example for all of us. There is no ending for love, only transitions to different experiences of it through space and time.


Tricia was predeceased by her brothers James P. Cassidy II and Jackson Cassidy. She leaves behind her best friend in life, Chester Petkiewicz, as well as her daughter, Mary Ann Petkiewicz Wilmarth and her son James Petkiewicz and his wife Margaret (Morris) Petkiewicz. She also leaves behind her sister Mary (Cassidy) Conway and her sister-in-law Mary Jo (Maley) Cassidy. And then, of course, come her adored grandchildren Victoria Wilmarth, Lauren Wilmarth Myhre (husband Michael Myhre), Zachary Wilmarth (wife Alyssa Marsh Wilmarth), Shayne Petkiewicz, and Deirdre Petkiewicz. As well as nieces, nephews, friends and so many more; all of whom we hold in our hearts right now with deep gratitude and memories so dear to us. Because remembering is our best human way of holding together our community and our shared time on this earth.

After a March 1988 trip to Peru, Chet and Tricia radically realigned their already-service-oriented lives to begin working with marginalized communities around the world. And they never ceased in this commitment. Never.

There are people, families, villages, and cooperatives the world over that mourn the loss of Tricia- without any doubt.

We are all the better for her loving care, leadership and teaching in our lives. We have missed her during her struggle with Alzheimer’s. We are thankful to God that she is free of that now. But we will always miss her beautiful being, spirit, and smile.

Tricia is a Champ; and always will be.

With love we share with you all the news of her passing into God’s loving and enduring embrace, The Petkiewicz/Cassidy Family

Her Funeral Service will be celebrated in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover on Sunday, December 18, 2022, at 11:30 AM. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend. Interment will be privately held.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Tricia’s honor to Alzheimer’s research, Dana Farber Cancer Institute: research, and Shriner’s Hospital for Children. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.

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Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home
390 North Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
978-475-5200