Elizabeth Mae Ferrara Pettingill
September 15, 1937 - September 11, 2026
Elizabeth Mae Ferrara Pettingill capped off an epic, nearly-89-year run on September 11, 2026, at her home in Erie, CO, surrounded by her loving — and, at times, raucous — family.
Born September 15, 1937, in Lock Haven, PA, to Mark Joseph Ferrara and Dorothy Louise Fravel Ferrara, she was the eldest of five — followed by Mark “Bud” Ferrara Jr., Barbara (Ferrara) Steckenfinger, the late John “Butch” Ferrara, and Ralph “Skip” Ferrara — and more than held her own as the big sister of the bunch, perhaps earning her childhood nickname, Queenie, along the way. Smart, determined, and no-nonsense, she excelled at school while working to support herself, graduating from Lock Haven High School in 1956. Along the way, she caught the eye of Thomas Blair Pettingill — known to everyone simply as Tom — and on October 6, 1956, in Woolrich, PA, the two were married, embarking on 55 years together until his passing in 2011.
Together, Elizabeth and Tom raised two daughters, Kim and Carole, in Woolrich and later Avis, PA — in a home they were especially proud of, because they built it themselves, with a hand from family along the way. While raising her girls and working as a secretary and administrative assistant at Woolrich Woolen Mills, Elizabeth returned to college at Lock Haven State College, earning her bachelor’s degree in Secondary
Education. She went on to teach English at Williamsport Area School District, and while teaching there, earned her master’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University. It’s unclear what she was most proud of — being a teacher or a Nittany Lion — but she was exceptional at both, retiring in the late 1990s.”
Even after retirement, she continued to apply her skills by penning letters to the editor (to defend Penn State football); co-writing a book about the history of Italian immigrant families in Clinton County, PA; and offering up proofreading services to her six very grateful grandsons: Chris, Mike, Nick, Garrett, Ryan, and Connor. She attended St. Agnes Catholic Church and, as a proud Italian and devoted member of her community, enjoyed volunteering in the kitchen at the Sons and Daughters of Italy in Lock Haven — and within the family, she was famous for her lasagna, her homemade ravioli (known simply as “gravvies”), and her signature Ambrosia. She kept up with her high school friends for decades, long after she’d left the area — always the first to lend a hand and make a new friend.
In recent years, she acquired four “granddaughters” — Julia, Katie, Sarah, and Chloe — and a great-granddaughter, Amelia. Along with Kim, Carole, and the boys, they all did their best to keep up with Mimi as she moved from Avis to Massachusetts with her daughter Kim in 2020, then on to Colorado to be closer to her grandchildren — where she promptly out-socialized everyone, making new friends over cards and events at the Erie Senior Center. Her travels took her back to Italy to walk her ancestral roots, on family vacations to Mexico, and twice to the Rose Bowl to cheer on her beloved Nittany Lions — along with trips to San Diego, Vegas, Newport, and the Grand Tetons. Just months before her passing, at the spry age of 88, she danced the night away at her grandson’s wedding in June Lake, CA, then rode every ride at Disneyland with her great-granddaughter Amelia.
Right up until the very end, she was sharp, sassy, a bit stubborn, and so full of energy — her illness was unexpected, and her passing came quickly. Ask her the right question and you’d hear her signature call ring out — “We are...” — and know exactly what you were supposed to shout back: “PENN STATE!” Her legacy is her beloved family, who know she’s reunited with Tom, watching over them, and gearing up for Saturday’s big
game.
The family is deeply grateful to her grandson Connor and his fiancée, Chloe — both in healthcare — whose steadfast, loving care and expertise were a constant support during Mimi’s short time in hospice; she could not have been in better hands. The family also thanks the hardworking and compassionate caregivers at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, CO (Emergency Department, CCU, and ACE care units), the exceptional team at Dignity Hospice, and her care team at Boulder Community Health.
She believed happiness was a choice, that life was meant to be lived, and that everyone was responsible for finding their own joy. She lived that way — with independence, resilience, an open heart, and a willingness to say yes to life. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.
She is survived by her daughters, Kim Pettingill Long and Carole (Pettingill) Agostini Bachman; her grandsons, Christopher Agostini (married to Julia Beebe), Michael Agostini, Nicholas Agostini, Garrett Long (engaged to Katharina Frim), Ryan Long (married to Sarah Stebenne Long), and Connor Long (engaged to Chloe Bernard); her great-granddaughter, Amelia Elizabeth Agostini; and her siblings, Mark “Bud” Ferrara Jr., Barbara (Ferrara) Steckenfinger, and Ralph “Skip” Ferrara. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Thomas Blair Pettingill, and her brother, John “Butch” Ferrara.
In lieu of flowers, Mimi asks that you spend time with your family and friends, be extra kind to your healthcare providers, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature,
and — when you have the choice to sit it out or dance — she hopes you dance.
Elizabeth’s Celebration of Life
Sunday, October 25th, 2026
2:30 pm
Erie Recreation Center Community Room
450 Powers Street
Erie, CO 80516