Barbara J. (Bicchieri) Petrella passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 17th. She was 90. Born and raised in Boston’s West End, Barbara was the daughter of the late Francesco and Vada (Libby) Bicchieri.
A Medford resident for over 65 years, Barbara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Barbara was devoted to her family and enjoyed keeping her home and providing delicious meals for her husband and sons. Coming from the close knit environment of the West End, she was a wonderful friend and neighbor to those around her in Medford. When her husband Sammy opened his South Medford Smoke Shop, Barbara was by his side operating the store which was a neighborhood mainstay news stand and candy shop, where so many kids stopped on the way home from school for some candy or a comic book. Her welcoming spirit and kind words were always appreciated.
The beloved wife of Salvatore J. “Sammy” Petrella, who passed away in 2017, Barbara was a devoted mother of Peter Petrella and his wife Dorothy “Donna” and Frank Petrella and his wife Renee. She was a loving grandmother to Christina Petrella, Andrea Reid and her husband Michael, Anthony Petrella, PJ Petrella and his wife Casey, and Samantha Dillen and her husband Jarrod. She was a loving great-grandmother to Aiden, Andrew, Nathaneal, Levi, Madelyn, Zachary, Emma, Luke and Niko. She was the dear sister of Peter Bicchieri, Rosie Lecce, and the late Annette Buccieri, Frank Bicchieri and Donald Bicchieri. Barbara also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Saturday, January 24 from 8:30 -10:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 118 High Street, Medford, at 11AM. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in Barbara’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.