Mary Elizabeth (Rother) Petrarca

Mary Elizabeth Petrarca (Rother) peacefully went home to her Lord on a beautiful afternoon, Wednesday, February 26, 2025. She was embraced by her family in her home of nearly forty years in Liverpool, NY. A native of the city of Syracuse, Mary was born to Edward and Lucille Rother and spent her early years on West Pleasant Avenue in the city of Syracuse before moving to Elm Tree Lane in Fairmont where she would eventually meet her husband, Bob Petrarca “Guido”. Mary graduated from Bishop Ludden Junior Senior High School in 1977, and from Powelson Business Institute in 1978. She had a career as a Medical Assistant and worked until she was physically unable to continue. Amidst working and raising four children, she also managed to start BMAT Enterprises, an office servicing company, with her husband, close friends, and children. The greatest love of Mary’s life was her family, which began in 1978 when she met her companion in life, Bob Petrarca. The couple married at Holy Family Church in Fairmont on May 24, 1980, and had four children in addition to Bob’s first three children. Mary was a fiercely dedicated mother, supporting education, extracurricular activities, and even studying to become an amateur cake maker so that all of her family’s events could be extra sweet. To Mary, her children and grandchildren were her world. The other greatest love she held was for that of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a prominent member of Christ the King Church. Despite the innumerable physical and mental health challenges she faced over the years, Mary maintained unwavering faith. Nevertheless, she woke up each day ready to take on whatever came her way. Mary was a fighter for the underdog and unabashedly shared her experiences with others in hopes of helping them overcome their struggles. She most notably accomplished this after an above-knee amputation of her right leg, which led to co-founding EnMotion, the first amputee support group in the Syracuse area that provided resources and emotional support for hundreds of amputees and their families. Mary inevitably served as the life of every party. Her mischievous brown eyes, contagious smile, and raucous laugh were magnetic. She was fiery, fiercely loyal, and was always prepared with a quip—no one could escape her wrath. She was, simply, a gravitational force all her own. When she received her diagnosis of Glioblastoma nine months ago, she saw it as an opportunity not to mourn, but to suck up every last bit of joy with family and friends in the time that remained. Mary is survived by her devoted husband, Bob Petrarca; children, Melissa Petrarca (Derek Robinson), Robert Petrarca, Jr., Kate (EJ) Johnson, and Margaret (Gabriel) Romano; step- children, Jen (Dave) Huyck, Jean (Rob) Guanciale, and Tony (Melinda) Petrarca; her most beloved grandchildren, Sam, Ella, Aidan, Ryan, Sophia, Charlotte, Hadley, Lily, Ethan, and Josephine; her siblings, Ed Rother, Ann Rother, and Bob (Karen) Rother, along with many nieces and nephews. Please join us in celebrating Mary’s life. Family and friends may call on Monday, March 3, 2025, from 4–7pm at THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at 11am on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, 21 Cherry Tree Circle, Liverpool, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Mary’s name to Francis House at https://francishouseny.org. To livestream the service, please go to: https://www.youtube.com/@christthekingchurchliverpo5675 (Click LIVE)

Mary Elizabeth (Rother) Petrarca

May 9, 1959 - February 26, 2025