Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Russo, of Roseland, dearest wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many – New Jersey Hills

Visitation will be from noon to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019 at the Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, 45 Roseland Ave., Roseland.

 The funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Roseland at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019 followed by internment at Greenwood Cemetery in Manahawkin, NJ.  Memories and condolences may be shared at shookfarmer.com.

Born in Orange, she was raised in East Orange  with her parents, Elizabeth and Elite Spiotta, and her late brother Thomas Spiotta and her late sister Jean Spiotta Angeline. 

She graduated from Clifford Scott High School in East Orange, where she played field hockey, basketball and softball.  She attended William Paterson College where she obtained a teaching degree. 

After college she taught second grade at John Marshall Elementary School in Edison,  until having a family of her own.

 While raising her family she worked part-time helping her husband develop his plumbing and heating business, Russo Bros & Co. and in her later years was a substitute teacher in the West Essex School District.

Betty was a resident of West Orange before moving to Roseland over 40 years ago to raise her family.  She was an active mother who was closely involved with her children’s school work and activities as well as an active volunteer in her community.

 She was a member of the West Orange Junior Women’s Club, Lester C. Noecker PTA, and West Essex PTA.  She volunteered for many years with Roseland Recreation, Noecker Library, and Morris County Meals on Wheels.

Betty was very social and had many groups of friends that included monthly meetings with her high school bridge group, aerobics with the A-Team, and celebrations with the “Birthday Group.”  She spent her summers as a lifelong resident of Long Beach Island, specifically Holgate, where she always loved “a good beach day” and spending time with her family. 

In her later years, she and her husband enjoyed wintering in Hutchinson Island, Florida.  They also spent their free time traveling in the United States as well as Europe.  

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 48 years, Michael F. Russo  Sr. She is survived by her loving sons, Michael F. Russo, Jr and his wife Kimberly of Newtown Square, Pa., Mark Russo of New York City, Matthew Russo and his wife Lara of Roseland, Martin Russo and his wife Kerri of Little Silver and her devoted grandchildren, Matthew, Reese, Ava, Sienna, Michael III, Ryann, Francesca, Blake and Martin Jr (aka M.J.).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Roseland First Aid Squad, 300 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, NJ  07068 or the Beach Haven First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 1291, Beach Haven, N.J.  08008.