Shrewsbury resident, advocate Petrucci named one of state's Commonwealth Heroines

Latest in a series of stories on Worcester County residents recently honored by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

SHREWSBURY — Even though Melanie Petrucci was technically a stay-at-home mom for her two young children when she first moved to Shrewsbury from Colorado 24 years ago for her husband’s job, she was rarely stuck at home.

Instead, she became involved with her community, volunteering her time to benefit the city’s schools, teachers and young people and, when her children were older, its downtown, serving on the historical commission, the downtown association and now organizing its 300th anniversary celebration.

“My husband jokes that, 'If the organization has Shrewsbury in the title, my wife is part of it,'” Petrucci said.

Petrucci’s contributions, indomitable spirit and advocacy for her community earned her the recognition of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. She was nominated by Rep. Hannah Kane, R-Shrewsbury, to be part of the Commission’s Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2024.

“We decided I would be a stay-at-home mom and I was totally on board with that,” Petrucci said, calling the chance to be home with her daughters, Robin, now 29, and Michaella, now 27, full time a “gift." Her husband, Rich, had accepted a position as a software engineer for Raytheon in Marlborough. But she wanted to get to know her new community and make some friends.

“The best way to know your community is to find organizations that reflect your beliefs and volunteer,” Petrucci said, lamenting the fact that many people don’t have the time to volunteer. She described her nomination as a "huge honor." She usually, "flies under the radar and being recognized for the work I do meant the world to me."

In seeking ways to connect with her community, Petrucci joined the Welcome Wagon Club, now the Shrewsbury Social Club, where she served in a variety of roles from coordinating its fundraising and membership drives to leading as president. The young mother also found the Shrewsbury Child Development Committee, the parents group that gathered to create activities for preschoolers.

“But you age out of certain groups as your children get older,” Petrucci said.

Once her children reached school age, Petrucci found her focus changed. She became involved with the parent-teacher organizations at their schools, the Shrewsbury Education Foundation and the Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services.

“We were raising money to do what we could to make Shrewsbury schools great,” Petrucci said. In that vein, Petrucci fought for budget overrides to fully fund the schools and helped create the Garden Party fundraiser that raised thousands for local teachers. Educators were able to apply for grants through the organization to pay for supplies, equipment and field trips not funded by the district.

It’s a task she found most rewarding, helping local teachers to acquire supplies the budget couldn’t support.

Other organizations also benefited from Petrucci’s energy and her background in nonprofit organizations and fundraising including the League of Women Voters, Rotary Club, Town Meeting, Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library and even political candidates.

Petrucci has helped coordinate Kane’s annual golf tournament, Hannah Kane’s Charity Classic. That event, scheduled for Aug. 19 at the Haven Country Club in Boylston, benefits St. Anne’s Human Services, Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services and the Westborough Food Pantry.

In her remarks, Kane said, “Petrucci is ubiquitous in Shrewsbury. I cannot think of an organization or effort that she has not been an impactful volunteer for, to help our community and residents.

“I first got to know Melanie when we volunteered together on the celebration in the Garden Party to raise funds for the Shrewsbury Public Schools,” she said. “Melanie is always willing to help in any way she can and has made our community stronger.”

For the last 12 years, Petrucci has served on the city’s Historic District Commission and about five years ago added the job of liaison for the commission to the Association for Shrewsbury Town Center. She added the 300th Anniversary Commission to her agenda and is helping to organize the celebration, creating events to mark the town’s 300th year in 2027.

“We’re just getting organized, but it’s fun to orchestrate the events,” Petrucci said.

Petrucci managed to shoehorn a part-time job into her busy days as a reporter for the Community Advocate for five years.

“It was very rewarding, but it dominated my life and was turning into a full-time position,” Petrucci said. “I wanted to scale back — my kids were at an age I wanted to enjoy them, be available when they were.”

In her “spare time,” Petrucci laughingly admits she “is busy,” she likes to garden, is proud of her flowers and also likes to cook and experiment in the kitchen. She frequently looks into her refrigerator and cupboard for inspiration, whipping up something special.

But her main focus these days is to continue as an advocate and supporter for her community. Being a steward of history for her community is “very rewarding,” she said. It’s all about preserving historical structures for future generations and helping make the town center a vibrant place to be and a destination, not just a pass-through to other places.

In that vein, the community is courting businesses to enhance the downtown space, has an annual tree lighting and not just one tree, and hosts a Yuletide market modeled on the European holiday markets. The event, scheduled for Dec. 7, features vendors, mulled wine, a beer garden, hot chocolate and food trucks.

“We are working on building community,” Petrucci said.