Sharon F. Petrillose

passed away in Elmira, NY on Wednesday November 16, 2011 at the age of 81. Sharon was born July 14, 1930 in Wellsville, New York. She was the daughter of Thomas and Viola Sheldon Follett. Sharon lived in Wellsville until she moved to Ithaca, New York in 1948 to attend Cornell University’s Home Economics College and was a member of Cornell’s class of 1952 and the Delta Delta Delta sorority. On April 15, 1951 she married her late husband Robert C. Petrillose, Sr. and resided in Ithaca until their move to Elmira, NY in 2002 to be closer to family.

Sharon was an interior designer for Charles E. Shew Furniture in Ithaca, New York and later worked side by side with her husband Bob preparing food for the “Hot Truck” which after 1980 was run out of their home on Pleasant Grove Road in Ithaca. The “Hot Truck” was known by generations of Cornellians and was the originator of the french-bread pizza. She was a founding member of the Finger Lakes Runner’s Club, and taught Sunday school at the First Congregational Church in Ithaca. Her passion for nature and animals was passed on through her teachings to her children and grandchildren.

Sharon was predeceased by her husband Robert C. Petrillose, Sr. and brother Ronald Follett. She is survived by her sisters, Jeanette Samter (Buffalo, NY) , Marguerite Vail (Derby, NY), and Katherine Follett, PhD (Durham, NC). Sharon is survived by her three children, Robert C. Petrillose, Jr. (Mimi Welliver) of Elmira, NY; Renée Petrillose of Bryan, Texas; and Sharon Mueller (Michael) of Fayetteville, NC. Grandchildren Lindsay Petrillose, Christopher (Bridget Sheehan) Mardi (Michael) Hook, Kate (David) Zanella, Sgt. Morgan J. Ainslie , Nicholas Rivera, Garrett, Emma and Alexander Mueller; Great-grandchildren Brian and Giselli De Oliviera and Milo Zanella along with many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend our sincere gratitude for the wonderful care given Sharon over the past four years by her devoted caregivers Linda, Vicki, Maria, Tracy, Brittani, and Vicky.  Their kindness and loving care was heartfelt and helped enrich her life.  We would like to also thank the staff at Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Floor 2B.  Their kindness and loving care was heartfelt. 

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held Monday, November 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1054 West Clinton Street in Elmira, NY. The family respectfully requests that memorials be made in Sharon’s name to the Chemung County SPCA, 2435 State Route 352, Elmira, NY 14903.

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