Karla M. (Giordano) Petrino

Karla M (Giordano) Petrino passed away Sunday, January 17th ,2021 at the Hershey Medical Center due to Covid related complications with her devoted husband William and daughter Lauren by her side. 

Karla was born in Bradford PA, February 4, 1951 to the late Anthony and Elizabeth (Anderson) Giordano. She attended Bradford Area Schools, graduating from Bradford High in 1969. She worked at Dresser Mfg right out of high school in the Executive Offices. She left for Harrisburg in 1972 where she started her career as a clerk typist for the Department of Revenue and in 2008 retired as a Tax Appeals Specialist after 35 years. Throughout her career she received two Secretary of Revenue Excellence awards. 

William “Bill” and Karla met at the Revenue Department. They were together for 50 years, married on September 6, 1975 in Bradford, PA and celebrated 45 years this past September. 

She was a member of the Palmyra Holy Spirit Church where she volunteered for events including the yearly fish fry, summer festivals, and veteran programs. She was part of the collection counting team which met on Mondays and was also a member of the Senior Spirit Club that met monthly for breakfast where her passion was decorating. Karla was always looking for ways to brighten the community. After Christmas Bill and Karla would gather the church service poinsettias and take them to nursing homes and schools for others to enjoy! 

Karla had a compassionate heart for people and animals. Karla was described as a kind and caring person by all. She touched the lives of everyone she knew. She gave generously to multiple animal groups. If you were sick she would be knocking at your door with homemade food, or if you needed a hand she was first to help. She gave much of her time during Lauren's years in school, helping with plays and dances. Karla and Bill visited Lauren almost every weekend in college if they weren’t attending a cheerleading or event she was in. She was a member of the Red Hat Society where she made new friends and traveled. She loved Annalee dolls, decorating, sewing, and cooking. Karla has many friends she spent time with and leaves a huge void for many.

In addition to her loving husband Bill and daughter Lauren, she is survived by siblings:

Nancy Giordano Bess of Bradford and her daughters Lori Bess Wike and Amy Bess Graves & Don.

A great nephew Nathan Wike; sister Mary M. Jones, Harrisburg; brother Joseph L Giordano of Tennessee.

Her brother in law Sebastian Petrino and wife Donna of Palmyra, their daughter Traci Petrino and son Michael Petrino & wife Shanni; great nieces and nephews Mike, Sebastian, Christian, Makalya and Vinnie Petrino, all of Palmyra. She also has numerous aunts and cousins who survive her.

Her two fur babies, Molly and Bailey that miss her tremendously, and grandpup Bryce, survive.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 27th, at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 245 West Pine Street, Palmyra, PA 17078 at 11:00 AM. There will be no viewing. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Interment has yet to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Karla’s memory may be made to any veteran groups, animal rescue groups specifically; The Harrisburg Humane Society or CUDDLY Pet Rescue, 909 Electric Ave. Suite 208 Seal Beach, CA 90740. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.FinkenbinderFamily.com

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