Petra Bartelmann

WORCESTER - Petra Gesine Bartelmann, 67, of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, July 28, 2025, in the Neurotrauma Intensive Care Unit of UMass Medical Center, surrounded by her family, after suffering cardiac arrest and numerous complications of a cerebral hemorrhage five weeks earlier. Born in Worcester on December 17, 1957 to a German immigrant family, she learned to speak and read German at home. Her father was a mechanical engineer while her mother was a nursing assistant and homemaker. Petra attended local schools, but also traveled to Germany and attended grade school there when her father’s work took the family back overseas. She later graduated from South High School and Quinsigamond Community College.

She worked as a professional real estate agent and broker with her long-time friend and partner Eugene Check, who owned Gold Triangle Realty in Shrewsbury. She had earlier managed her own day-care center in Sarasota, Florida and worked in banking and retail.

Petra’s passing is a great loss to her five siblings and their families: Verena & Al Ramsay, Reinhard & Holly Bartelmann, Angela Gisela, Karina & Joe Quinn, Monika & Don Sewell; nine nieces and nephews: Heidi, Melody, Christopher, Marcus, Sarah, Kurt, Anna, Paula, & Katy, and five grandnieces and nephews: Ronan, John, Violet, Thea, and Dante. 

Petra was a gentle, caring, and longsuffering person without equal, having a love for children and vulnerable animals. She never married, but bravely and without reserve cared for her father and mother in their old age until their deaths at age 90 and 92 and later her companion Eugene. She saved and cared for injured squirrels, dogs, cats and birds and was always there for anyone she knew to help and support in any way she could. She was the best daughter, sister, and friend one could have. We all miss her dearly and know that she has gone ahead to a safe place, no longer suffering.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm, Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Worcester Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2 Airport Drive, Worcester, MA.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Kelly Cremation and Funeral Care, 154 Lincoln Street, Worcester.