Marilyn Lois (Fuller) Petti

"Snookie"

1931- 2026

Marilyn Lois (Fuller) Petti, 94, lovingly known as "Snookie," passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family, on Saturday, January 17 , 2026, after a long and beautiful life.

A lifelong Brocktonian, Snookie was a proud graduate of Brockton High School, Class of 1949, where she enjoyed skating and basketball. She was the devoted wife of the late Celestino "Charlie" Petti. Together, they were a beautiful couple who built a large, loving family and a life rooted in devotion, tradition, and community.

Snookie was the beloved mother of 12 children: Charles (late), Charlyn (Petti) & David Veracka, Scott (late), Anthony (late), Lance & Cindy Petti (late), Joy, Todd & Kathy Petti, Gina Petti & Mark Hauser, Shelly (Petti) & Marcel Nadeau (late), Tory, Matthew & Kathy Petti, and Mark & Kim Petti. Her family was truly her life. She found her greatest joy in being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She was the daughter of Nellie (Shields) Fuller and Frederick Briggs Fuller, and the sister of Robert Fuller, Dorothy (Fuller) Nurenberg, Virginia (Fuller) Sabine, and Frances (Fuller) Bamford.

The matriarch of a remarkable family and a proud descendant of Samuel Fuller, a Pilgrim who arrived on the Mayflower, she lived her life with deep gratitude and a profound appreciation for her heritage.

After high school, Snookie worked at Raytheon as an administrative assistant and owned and spent many years working alongside family at C.M. Petti Market, the city's oldest family-owned business. There, she was known for her warmth, kindness, and genuine connection with customers and coworkers alike. To know Snookie was to feel welcomed, remembered and cared for.

Brockton was always home to Snookie. She firmly believed that she grew up and raised her family in the best city, during the best times, with the best people. Her home was always open, and she was known not only for her legendary Thursday-night dinners—long evenings filled with Italian feasts, laughter, and the convivio of family and friends—but also for the wonderful parties she loved to host, at The Purple Gate, a unique covered outdoor space she designed and decorated herself. There, she brought people together with warmth, generosity, and joy. She loved to spend time in her Belmont Street gardens, often greeting passersby while she trimmed hedges or planting for the seasons.

Her practical nature, poise and positive outlook was the hallmark of her character and the quiet strength behind all she did.

Snookie's legacy lives on through her grandchildren she loved: Josh McCugh; Paul Veracka: Michael Veracka; Lauren Veracka; Brianna (Petti) French; Dario Petti; Jason Sellars; Michael Petti; Santina Cole; Nathan Cole; Garrett Mazanec; Hillary Mazanec; Steven Hill; Gia (Griesemer) Betancour; Tori Petti; Nicole Petti, Celestina Petti, Briggs Petti; and many great-grandchildren, all of whom carry forward her deep love of family, tradition, and togetherness.

Calling hours in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt123) Brockton on Tuesday, January 20th from 9:30AM-12:00PM followed by a funeral service in the funeral home at 12:00PM.  Interment will follow in the family plot in Melrose Cemetery, Brockton.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Snookie's memory to Make-A-Wish Foundation or Dana Farber Cancer Institute.