Virginia R. Russo

Virginia R. Russo, 96, of Worcester, MA, formerly of Methuen, MA, died Sunday, September 3, 2017 at her daughter’s home in Worcester. She was the loving wife of the late Sebastiano Russo, who died in 1983.

Born in Lawrence, Virginia was the second youngest of seven children born to Vincenzo and Alfia (Scandurra) Pappalardo. She graduated Valedictorian of Lawrence High School class of 1939. After giving her speech, she went directly to her job as a stitcher at Grieco Brothers. Later, she lived in Swansea, MA, with her family and worked at the Swansea School Dept.

Virginia moved to Methuen upon the death of her husband. She was a devoted volunteer at the Methuen Senior Center where she facilitated the N.E.E.T. program, from 1988-2005. For her many years of dedicated service, she received The Methuen Exchange Club and Methuen Council on Aging’s “Rene J. Morissette Service to Seniors Award” in 2005. She attended Holy Rosary Church and was a member of Saint Rita’s Sodality Committee and the Italian Mother’s Club.

Her survivors include her children, Constance (Raymond) Carroll of Tucson, AZ, Claudia of Worcester, MA, David (Lynn Covill) of Warwick, RI, and Paul (Tracey) of Wareham, MA. She also leaves grandchildren, Stephanie (David) Rainie, David (Celso Montes) Carroll, Abbie Russo, David Gruia Russo, and August Russo; as well as her beloved great-grandchildren, Cora, Hayes, and Denali Rainie. She also leaves several nieces and nephews.

Virginia was predeceased by her sisters, Sarah DiPietro, Nellie Cavallaro, Nancy Assad, Mary Mason; and brothers, Sam and Anthony Pappalardo.

Always impeccably dressed and coiffed, Virginia enjoyed reading historical fiction, tending her beautiful gardens, giving the latest investment advice, and watching MSNBC with an admiration for Rachel Maddow. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, summers on Martha’s Vineyard, and when there was someone to prepare it, sipping on a vodka martini.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, September 8, 2017 from 8:00-9:30 AM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen. Her funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM at Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church, 35 Essex St., Lawrence. Burial will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence. For directions or to send condolences, please visit www.cataudellafh.com.

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