Josephine S. “Jo” Petrea
February 28, 1937 - November 9, 2025
Josephine S. “Jo” Petrea, age 88, of Bear, Delaware, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, November 9th, 2025.
Jo was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, on February 28, 1937, the second youngest of six children. She graduated from Nether Providence High School in 1955. Jo was blessed with three children, whom she raised with great integrity and love.
She enjoyed a 34-year career with Bank of Delaware/PNC Bank, advancing from a part time teller to Vice President and Regional Manager of Major Buildings. She was admired by all who worked with her, and her professional friendships endured well into her retirement.
Jo was predeceased by her parents, James C. and Dorothy M. (Chandler) Sweeney; her brothers, James C. Sweeney and John W. Sweeney; her sisters, Nancy Starkey, Dorothy Fleming, and MaryLou Stevens; and her beloved son, David Petrea, whom she dearly missed since his passing in 2017.
She is survived by her daughters, Melanie Nixon (Robie) and Melinda “Sammy” Mizenko (Joe Durso); five granddaughters, Marissa Fernandes, Sadie Fernandes, Amy Mizenko, Aly Mizenko, and Alana Petrea; and her cherished great-granddaughter, Josephine “JoJo” Fernandes, with whom she delighted in spending time.
Jo loved her family, was a happy warrior, and died living a sober life.
The family of Josephine Petrea extends sincere gratitude to her medical team, whose dedicated care enabled her to enjoy 38 additional years of life. Her recent care from Delaware Hospice was provided with great kindness, compassion, and respect.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Deerfield Country Club, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE 19711, where a Celebration of Life will begin at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow after the celebration of life. Interment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Christiana Fire Company, EMS, Attn: Administrator, 2 East Main Street, Christiana, DE 19702; and Delaware Hospice, 630 Churchmans Road, Suite 200, Newark, DE 19702 or online by clicking here.
Joan Swanson
Jo was a dear person and a neighbor whose acquaintance i will cherish. Her warmth and her sense of humor always brought me joy.💕
Wayne Dawson
I offer my deepest condolences to Jo’s family. She was a great lady. I worked with her for many years at the bank.
Always a sweetheart with a caring attitude. She was a “go to” personality who could be counted on to get the job
done.
I cannot get to be there on person, but I will be with you in spirit. God bless you all.
Charles H Hutson III
Jo was a great influence on my career, and in my life. She was a teacher, guide and mentor, and also a friend, and I have fond memories of many good times with her and our work family, and also our real families! She will be greatly missed.
Sharon Simmons
Dear family of beloved Jo, to say she changed the course of my life and made me a better person would be an understatement. Jo had an abiding wisdom that could always direct me back to the highest version of myself.
In the 15 years of her sponsorship we became so close and even after I moved away, she remained my guiding light.
There will always only ever be one Jo, and I’m so blessed to have shared such meaningful time with her.
Warmest blessings,
Sharon Simmons
Paula black
Jo was a wonderful boss woman and person. She was loved by everyone she met. RIP
Robin Williams
Jo was and forever will be a defining presence in my life and a benevolent guide to the person I became. I treasure the years of friendship I shared with her and miss her terribly. My heart breaks for the sweet girls she left to carry on in her memory.
Bev Pala Williams
Melanie and family, Your Mom lived a full life with all of you around her. I still remember her at the little league games back when we were kids, telling the umpire he was wrong! She is leaving you with wonderful memories to cherish forever.
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bev Pala Williams
John Amalfitano
I met Jo a short time after I joined Bank of Delaware in the 1980s. From our very first meeting I felt a bond with Jo. She was one of the few people in my life that I immediately liked enormously from our very first meeting. She was direct while being warm, only made promises that she would keep, was tremendously effective in her job, and gained what I think was universal respect and affection. How many people can you say these things about?
My feelings about Jo are such that – even though we have had no contact with one another in over 30 years – my heart sank with a great feeling of loss when I saw her obit.
Goodbye, my friend. Even now you have my affection, respect and great memory of being one of my absolute favorite colleagues.
Libby Ward
I knew Jo at Bank of Delaware when I was head teller at Delaware Ave branch. Fond memories of her gracious personality. Once you meet her you would never forget her. My pleasure to know her.