Maria Russo Obituary
Maria (Milone) Russo, age 96, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2022 at Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation, surrounded by her family. She was born on January 1, 1926 in Milazzo, Sicily, Italy. She was the eldest daughter of Stefano and Nunziata Milone, and the wife of the late Stephen Russo.
Maria and her family moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1946, following the end of World War II, and moved into their family home on Summer Street, where Maria lived until she turned 94 years old. In 1952, she traveled back to Sicily to marry her husband, Stephen, to whom she remained married for 39 years, until his death in 1992.
Maria enjoyed gardening, and spent many hours tending to her houseplants. She also enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. A devoted Catholic, she hosted the St. Joseph's 9 day novena and feast in her home, including erecting a full altar in her living room, and hosting hundreds of guests for the meal each March 19th. One of her favorite times of year was St. Peter's Fiesta, and she never missed the novena, Sunday mass and procession, and, greatly enjoyed the Italian music from the St. Peter's altar. She was an active member of the Mother of Grace Club on Washington Street in Gloucester.
Maria is survived by her daughter, Connie (Russo) Orlando, wife of Joseph M. Orlando; her daughter-in-law, Angela (Onorio) Russo, wife of the late Onofrio Joseph Russo; five grandchildren: Amanda Orlando, Lisa (Orlando) Bourassa, wife of Robert Bourassa; Joseph M. Orlando Jr., husband of Jamie Orlando; Stephen Russo, husband of Rachelle Russo, Alessandra Russo, partner of Frankie Neal; and eleven great grandchildren: Alexander, Samuel, and Owen Kesterson; Francisco and Joseph Fornero; Dylan and Madelyn Bourassa; Joseph, Rocco, and Isabella Orlando; and Xander Russo. She is also survived by her brother, Rosario Milone, and his wife, Larraine, and many nieces, nephews, and godchildren, both in the United States and in Italy.
In addition to her husband, Maria was predeceased by her beloved son, Onofrio Joseph Russo; her granddaughter, Jacqueline Russo; her brother, Vincenzo Milone, and her sister, Phyllis (Milone) Quince, and her infant sister, Lucia.
Maria's family would like to acknowledge and thank Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation and Care Dimensions for their loving care and comfort.
A funeral mass for Maria will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at 11 a.m. in St. Ann's Church, Prospect St., Gloucester, MA. Visiting hours will be held prior to mass on Tuesday March 8, 2022, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St. Gloucester, MA. Family and friends are cordially invited. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Maria's family asks for donations to Children's Hospital in Boston, MA.
