Our dear beloved mother Angelina was born in Pozzuoli, Italy in 1928 on The Feast of The Guardian Angels and went back to God on that beautiful feast day 94 years later. She was one of ten children born to Francesco and Maria Casillo. During World War II, our father Leonard Petroni was an American soldier stationed in Italy and met our beautiful mother there and the two were married. Our mother spoke no English and our father spoke no Italian. They would communicate through an Italian English dictionary. Their love exceeded the language barrier. We remember stories of their courtship and mom chuckling as she told us of dad dancing the jitter bug in his army boots. Some of us used to sneak into a box mom had of personal items and delight as we would read dads love letters he wrote to her after he was shipped out of Italy as the fighting continued. After the war, our mother and our oldest brother joined our dad in The States where they raised a family of six children. Our family was big, loud and crazy but we all loved one another. Our home was filled with beautiful Italian music and delicious Italian food. Family and friends were always welcomed and our home was a gathering place. Later in life Angelina married Glenn Brown whom she loved very much and spent many happy years with. Our mother’s Catholic Faith was extremely important to her and she did all she could to instill that faith into her six children.
She had a deep love and devotion to Our Blessed Mother, The Madonna, as well as the Catholic Faith above all and a love for our Italian heritage and culture. She loved her family very much, her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren and on her last day on this earth she met her great great grandchild , Joseph Jr. Faith and family ….. these were the most important to our beautiful mother Angelina!
She is proceeded in death by her parents, Francesco and Maria Casillo, her brothers, Vincenzo, Giovanni, Benito and her sisters Gilda and Mafalda, our father, Leonard Petroni and their two sons Rick Petroni and Kenny Petroni and her husband, Glenn Brown. She is survived by her three sisters: Carmela, Italia and Auroa, her children Frank Petroni, Connie Petroni, Linda Dwyer and Dean, and Debra Petroni, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. She was so loved by all and will be sorrowfully missed.
A Rosary will be held on Monday, October 10, 2022 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E Indian School Road, Phoenix, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM with Rosary beginning at 6:00. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Saint Thomas The Apostle Church, 2312 E Campbell Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona. Interment to follow at Saint Francis Cemetery.
Peter Addy
After a job well done, may her guardian angel and all his friends carry her dear soul to the bosom of Jesus Christ, our Savior to Rest In Peace for all eternity.
Kelly Dwyer and Louis Wenzlow
Our condolences to the family for the loss of Angelina, who was such a sweet lady, and who had such a lovely sense of humor. She was much loved, and I know she will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Love and hugs to all.
Julie Blackstock
We loved Angelina. I will always remember our trip together to Italy in 2005 , where Linda and I traveled to her home town in Southern Italy and had great Italian feasts with her and all her family! It was so special to meet all her siblings, lots of celebrating ! Angelina was a wonderful cook and taught her daughter Linda the art of Italian cooking, which Tim and I have been fortunate to enjoy over the years. I know how much Linda loved you, you will be dearly missed. Grazie Angelina ♥️ Salute, Ciao, until we meet again ♥️
Donovan Maycock
Condolences to everyone touched by Angelina. She is an amazing person and has such a humble heart. May God bless her and she be reunited with her loved ones. I will miss her.
Liz Petroni Lesieutre
You can see how her love and beautiful soul is reflected in the family she raised. It’s such a blessing that she was with you all those years. May she rest in peace.