Regina Petlowany, 87, died in her home on March 25, 2011.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she was known as “Irene.”
As a beauty operator, she owned the Park Avenue Beauty Salon.
Petlowany and her husband, Teddy, moved to St. Petersburg in 1969 and then to Sebastian in 1987.
Petlowany was a member of St. Sebastian Church for 24 years, and a member of their Women’s Guild for 22 years, serving as the Guild’s “50/50 Lady” for 10 years.
She enjoyed being part of the “Crafty Ladies of St. Sebastian,” volunteering for church events, working the fall festival boutique and helping in the church office.
Petlowany was a self-taught oil painting artist and hobbies included quilt making, sewing and crafting, but most important to her was rosary making.
She began making rosaries while living in St. Pete, and continued until two years ago when working such a meticulous art became difficult.
As a 30-year member of “Our Lady’s Rosary Makers Assn.,” she hand-made nearly 2000 rosaries, presenting them as gifts to family, friends, the missions and the church’s gift shop, never charging for a custom rosary or repair.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Annette and Roger Arnhart, of Texas; granddaughter and husband, Cheryl and Shane Strejcek; and great- grandchildren Nathan, Nyssa, Christopher, of Ohio; sister, Helen (Zee) Zajaczkowski, of Ohio; and step-son David Petlowany, of Ohio.
Petlowany was preceded in death by husband Theodore Petlowany, son Thomas (Tommy) Zayac, grandson Adam Grzincic, brother Stanley and sisters Stephanie and Wanda.
Services will be held on Monday, April 4, 2011. The calling hour is at 6 p.m., & Rosary at 7 p.m., at Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Sebastian, on Tuesday April 5, 11 a.m.
Rev. John Morrissey will celebrate a memorial Mass for his “Queen” at St. Sebastian Catholic Church.
Interment at Sebastian Cemetery.
