Mary Antonia (Petti) Marshall

Hastings resident Mary Antonia (Petti) Marshall, 100, passed away Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings, NE. 

Private family services were held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Hastings with Father Jeremy Hazuka. Burial is at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Memorials may be given to St. Michael’s Catholic Church. 

Mary was born February 17, 1925, in Bayonne, NJ to Florence (Salandra) Petti and Alphonse Petti. She grew up in Bayonne, graduating from Bayonne High School in 1942. 

The first to attend college in her family, Mary knew from a young age that she loved school and wanted to become a teacher. After graduating from New Jersey State Teachers College in 1945, she taught elementary school in Winfield Park, NJ. 

Mary met her husband Glen Marshall of Beaver City, NE in New York City’s Central Park while he was in the Navy and stationed in New York. They began a long-distance relationship during his service, writing letters back and forth before marrying in 1946 and moving to Nebraska. She continued her teaching career at Kearney and Hastings Public Schools in Nebraska. After retiring from full-time teaching, she managed the branch of the Hastings Public Library at Spencer Park for several years. 

She and Glen had one daughter, Felicia. After 58 years of marriage, Glen passed away in 2004. 

Mary’s greatest joy was being around her family. She was proud of her Italian heritage and foods and many of her family’s favorite dishes have been passed down through the generations. Although a resident of Nebraska for nearly 80 years, she retained her eastern accent and fond memories of living in New Jersey. 

A devout Catholic, Mary was a member of St. Michael’s Church, Catholic Daughters and the Altar Society. Throughout her earlier years, she volunteered at Mary Lanning Hospital, Hastings Museum and Hastings Public Library. She was a member of the American Bridge League. 

Mary loved playing bridge, watching professional basketball and doing all kinds of word puzzles. She was an avid knitter having created dozens of sweaters, afghans and many other pieces for herself, family members and friends. 

Mary recently celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by her family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Florence and Alphonse Petti; her husband, Glen Marshall; brothers, Joseph Petti and Al Petti; and sister, Madeline Marcketta. 

She is survived by her daughter, Felicia Cogley (Steve); grandchildren, Vince Cogley (Andria) and Valerie Kemp (Dave); five great-grandchildren, Adylin, Sawyer and Wyatt Cogley, and Natalie and Ethan Kemp. She also is survived by her cousin, Lucille Brinker; and numerous nieces and nephews with whom she maintained close relationships throughout her life.