Johanna Pettrizzie

Johanna Pettrizzie, age 85, of Wayne passed peacefully on Friday, June 27th, 2025.

Johanna was born to John and Antoinette (nee Romano) Pettrizzie, she was one of six children in her family. Sadly, Johanna’s father passed away at a young age, and her older sister, Madeline, helped to raise her siblings. Johanna went on to graduate from Emerson High School in Union City, NJ, with the class off 1958, where she had also been a majorette with the marching band! After high school, she began working as a receptionist/office manager for Foremost Corrugated in Little Ferry. She enjoyed a lengthy career before retiring in '95. She had lived in N. Arlington, Union City, and Ridgefield before moving to Wayne in 1995.

Johanna was of fan of the “Big Apple” and enjoyed all that New York City had to offer, especially the night life. She would frequently bring her niece and nephews to see the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall starring the Rockettes and Parade of the Wooden Soldiers during the winter holidays, and Broadway shows like Peter Pan, Annie, etc. She took in live concerts, seeing Elton John, John Denver, and so many more. She frequented “The Barge Club” on the Hackensack River in Carlstadt, The Bicycle Club in Fort Lee, and the Meadowbrook in Cedar Grove. She had a lot of fun through the years.

Johanna loved her independence, enjoyed bike riding and was an animal lover. Her poodles, first Max then Buster were like children to her and she would spoil them to no end. After they left her for doggie heaven she would always enthusiastically volunteer to "babysit" for her niece's Yorkshire terrior, Rosie. Johanna shared her love unconditionally. In addition to her love of dogs Johanna would always make sure the local squirrels in her backyard had their daily snacks of peanuts that she fed them on the deck. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed diving into a good novel. She has a book collection like no other. She had also enjoyed some world travel, visiting Rome, Italy, and Hawaii.

Johanna remained extremely close with her siblings Madeline and John. The three of them lived together throughout their lifetimes. Her family, and the love they all shared, was essential to her. She is the last of her siblings to have passed away after her sister Madeline died in 2001, her sisters Agnes Spada and Marie Manzini in 2013, her brother John in 2014, and her sister Frances Ianuale in 2020.

Johanna is survived by her niece, Marissa Sabia and her husband Carmine, three nephews; Steve Ianuale, Michael Ianuale and his wife Laura, and Robert Spada, her great-nieces and great-nephews; Nicole, Francesca, Mark and Cory, and a large extended family. They will all miss her dearly.