Florence “Faye” Russo, 98, of Homosassa, FL, passed away on Tues., Feb. 9, 2021 at her residence at Sunflower Springs Assisted Living in Homosassa. Born in Rostraver Township, PA, on Nov. 27, 1922 to Carmine and Annanina (DeLutiis) DiFlorio, she was the youngest of six. The family moved to New York, where Florence grew up in Williamsburg, a neighborhood in Brooklyn. She married Rosario “Ross” Russo in 1941 and they moved to Wisconsin from New York in 1951. Faye, as she was known to many, was the original owner and operator of Faye’s Pizza in Sheboygan, WI for nearly 30 years. It was an Italian restaurant and a highly sought after destination by many of her loyal customers, some traveling from as far away as Chicago. Self-taught, in 1957 she built a successful restaurant business using only imported products from Italy and sold it in the mid-1980s where the new owners have continued her recipes & well-established business name. She then moved to Florida, living in Bradenton, Naples, Sebring and The Villages before settling in Homosassa at Sunflower Springs. Among Faye’s passions in life were cooking, golf, bowling, boating, singing & dancing, as well as telling a good joke. She was a vibrant and highly active person who loved being with people and family. She enjoyed learning new things and would become highly skilled at almost any endeavor she chose to undertake. For example, as proven by her golf game and the two holes-in-one she shot during her life. Florence was a devoted parishioner of St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church in Homosassa and in addition to her parents, was preceded in death by her five siblings; Tony DiFlorio, Willie DiFlorio, Rose Flaiani Willadsen, August DiFlorio and Jeana Tonna. She is survived by her three children: Nicholas Joseph Russo (wife Cindy), Homosassa, FL; Ross Russo (wife Mary), Lake Placid, FL and Rosanne Russo, Arlington, VA; grandchildren Ross Joseph Russo (wife Lori), Palmetto, FL and Theresa Ann Tomberlin, Crystal River, FL; great grandchildren Nicholas, Anthony, Nicki, Christy and Cara and great-great grandchildren Taylor, Kora and Claire. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. from St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church, Homosassa, Florida with Fr. J. Glenn Diaz, Celebrant. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Vitas Healthcare, 3350 W. Audubon Park Path, Lecanto, FL 34461 Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, FL. www.wilderfuneral.com
