Jennifer M. Colarusso

Jennifer M. (Downing) Colarusso, 39, of Methuen passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at Holy Family Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was born in Melrose and is the daughter of Francis and Frances (Perna) Downing of Malden.
 
Jennifer was a graduate of Malden High School and pursued her passions for history and teaching at Salem State, where she received her masters in both history and special education.  She taught special education in the Malden, Melrose, Haverhill, and Lawrence school systems.  Jennifer loved all forms of dance, especially ballet, being a former ballet dancer herself, and was an avid Harry Potter and Disney fan. She was a parishioner of St. Lucy Church in Methuen and a member of the Ladies Sodality.
 
Besides her parents, Jennifer is survived by her husband, Phil A. Colarusso; her children, Noah and Sarabeth Colarusso; her sisters, Christen Downing and her husband Sergio Pavuna of Malden and Laura Blais and her husband Dan of Pepperell; her father and mother-in-law, Anthony and Lidia (Caraglia) Colarusso of East Boston; as well as many nieces and nephews.
 
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her funeral mass at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at St. Lucy Church, 254 Merrimack Street in Methuen.  At the request of the family, there will not be visiting hours.