Shirley Elaine Brooks Petronis, 90, died on January 26, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida.
She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 7, 1930 to Ernest Edward Brooks and Irene Vera Hoff Brooks. Shirley graduated from high school in Detroit, Michigan in 1948 After living for many years in the Midwest and Syracuse, she and her beloved husband, Albert, moved to Florida in 1981.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Janet McCort and her husband of 45 years, Albert Petronis. Mrs. Petronis is survived by her three children: Dr. Lori Altmann of Gainesville, FL, Janet and James Woodworth of Kirkville, NY and Ken and Diana Petronis of Charlotte, NC; four grandchildren: Sharon Altmann, Rebecca Altmann, Caroline Petronis and Daniel Petronis. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive her.
Shirley worked as a secretary before taking time out to raise her family. She also volunteered at Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, NY and Meese Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor, Fl. for a total of almost 30 years. She was the consummate homemaker, a gracious hostess who enjoyed hosting festive dinner parties in her beautifully decorated home. Sociable and fun-loving, Shirley was often the first at weddings to request the Chicken Dance and then proceed to show everyone how it was done. She loved meeting and getting to know people from all walks of life, and often knew the entire life story of the servers in the dining room or the health aids who helped her manage her apartment at The Village at Gainesville, where she resided for the last 13 years.
She loved being a mother and a grandmother, instilling in her family a strong commitment to accepting and loving others, fairness, and a “can do” attitude. Most of all she loved being Al’s wife.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Haven Hospice for their compassionate care and support, as well as the dedicated staff of The Village at Gainesville.
Memorials may be sent Haven Hospice, www.beyourhaven.org/donate, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606 or The Helping Hands Fund, www.thevillageonline.com/foundation, The Village at Gainesville, 8000 NW 27th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606
