Annette O'Toole Obituary

Annette O'Toole passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, February 16, 2025. She was 99 years old. Annette was born on September 19, 1925, the daughter of the late Donato and Pasqualina (Palumbo) Petrillo. The daughter of Italian immigrants and youngest of six Petrillo children, all life-long Millburn/Short Hills residents, she and the family were an integral part of the town as local business owners, public servants in the local schools, and active members of the community. She graduated from Millburn High School, class of 1943. In September 1954, she married Eugene T. O'Toole of Clifton, NJ, and they raised their three daughters in Short Hills: Lynn O'Toole (Nicholas Forgione) of Haverhill, MA; Beth O'Toole (deceased James Byrnes) of Boston, MA; and Jean O'Toole of Ocean Grove, NJ. Annette was an accomplished athlete, enjoying tennis, golf, and skiing most of her life. Her love of sports led her to pursue a long career as a PE teacher and coach. In addition, she loved making things with her hands, gardening, and entertaining. She had a life filled with many friends and hobbies and was always ready for cocktail hour with a glass of red wine. In retirement, Annette and Gene moved to Newfane, VT, continuing to ski, golf, and travel. She was predeceased by Gene, and later, Annette finished out her long life in Haverhill, MA spending time with her daughters, sons-in-law, and her six grandchildren, Emily Forgione, Nicholas Forgione, Ryan Forgione, Meredith Gould, Meg Gould, and Peter Gould (Taylor Gould). She welcomed her first great grandchild, Scarlett Gould in December 2025. She will be dearly missed. Services will be held privately in New Jersey. Arrangements are by the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Bradford~Haverhill. Contributions in Annette's memory may be made in her name to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. To share a memory or for more information, please visit www.farmerfuneralhomes.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Annette, please visit our floral store.