Rose Russo

Rose (Amato) Russo, 81, of Methuen, MA, passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. She was born on March 20, 1938 in Biancavilla, Catania, Sicily, and was the daughter of the late Placido and Alfina (Neri) Amato.

Raised and educated in Sicily, Rose moved to Dover, NH in 1962 and eventually settled in Lawrence in the late 1960s and then Methuen for the greater part of her life. She worked for many years as a seamstress at the Lawrence Maid Factory in Lawrence before retiring to help in her husband’s masonry business. She then chose to stay home to raise her two children, who she would always refer to as “the root of her heart.” She enjoyed dinners and shopping with her girlfriends on Saturdays at the mall, crocheting, cooking, baking, watching the Patriots and basketball on TV, and entertaining family and friends. Her deep pan-baked ziti “Pasta al Forno” was always a staple at holidays with everyone taking home leftovers. She was proud of her achievements, but she was mostly proud of her family, in particular, her beautiful children who were her entire world, and later was blessed with two precious grandsons. She was also very religious and an avid parishioner of St. Lucy Parish in Methuen, where she participated in Mass every Sunday.

Rose was predeceased by her siblings, Salvatore Amato and Maria Ventura.

She leaves behind her husband, Rosario Russo of Methuen; adored children, Giuseppina “Pina” Russo of Methuen, and Roberto Russo and his wife, Stephanie of Methuen; two cherished grandsons, Rosario and Peter Russo, both of Methuen; siblings, Nella Giardina of Italy, Alfio Amato of Methuen, and Anthony Amato of Methuen. In addition, she also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family here as well as in Sicily.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, November 24, 2019, from 2:00 – 6:00 PM at Cataudella Funeral Home 126 Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 25, 2019, at 10:00 AM in Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church, 35 Essex Street in Lawrence. Burial will follow in St. Mary-Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rose’s memory may be made to National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), 3803 N Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 or via www.nami.org.