Petrie Kodzis

Petrie Kodzis

July 20, 1962- January 12, 2023

Petrie was born into a loving family in 1962. She was surrounded by a slew of cousins, aunts and uncles growing up in Chelsea, Ma and then Melrose, Ma.  Petrie attended Winthrop, Coolidge, Melrose Junior and Senior High Schools and was a graduate of MHS 1980. During her childhood she had fond memories of camping trips she would take in New England States as well as the Southeast with cousins.  She grew up in the typical neighborhoods of the 1970’s where a street hockey, football, kickball or wiffle ball game could take place at a moment’s notice with the neighborhood kids.  Her neighborhood was the promise of a better tomorrow where you could knock on each other’s doors and ask if Bobby or Rob could come out to play, it was a special place.  

Petrie was an avid swimmer; she swam all her life.  Memories of getting out of the Melrose YMCA in the middle of February on a 10-degree day’s are filled with frozen hair and smells of the Melrose House of Pizza.  Petrie continued her swimming through 4 years of college and beyond to the Masters.  Her swimming also helped land summer jobs lifeguarding at beaches in Dennis and Yarmouth MA (Cape Cod) with her brother Kevin.

An extremely intelligent person, Petrie’s excelled in academics.  After Melrose High, she did a post graduate year at Philips Andover Academy 1981 and then Graduated from Babson College with Honors in 1985 with a dual degree in Quantitative analysis and economics. She was completely self-taught in computer language from Basic language to Cobalt and more than 10 other languages that we have no idea about, its called coding now.   This landed her jobs in the financial industry where she engineered programs for companies like Merrill Lynch, UBS, RBS and lastly Genworth Financial so they could initiate trades more rapidly.

Petrie’s happy place was California.  Ninety percent of her vacations and holidays were spent here.  She took incredible joy being an aunt to her niece and nephews in California.  She was active in their lives and when she could, she would be at their games and school events.  At the end that paid dividends as they were with her at her passing to love and care for her.  

Petrie died of a horrific disease, ALS.   Once diagnosed she wanted to handle it all on her own until 3 months ago when that was not possible.   Until the end she held her dignity. She came to Christ through constant prayer and mentorship from her sister-in-law Lynne. Our Christian community surrounded her constantly with visits and Wednesday sing a longs with Allison Kenyon, crushingly joyful.

Petrie Daughter of the late Edward Kodzis leaves behind mother Patricia Kodzis,  Brother Edward Kodzis Jr,  his wife Cheryl, Niece Kaitlyn and Nephews Brian and Kyle.  Brother Kevin Kodzis and his wife Lynne, niece Karly Kodzis and nephews Kevin Jr and Trevor. She leaves 9 cousins from the Quigley side of the family and 3 cousins from the Kodzis side. Her quirkiness and quick wit will surely be missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you may make a donation in her name to, ALS Orange County California:  14471 Chambers Rd # 111, Tustin, CA 92780

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