Ruth Parker Russo

Russo, Ruth P. (Lillie), of Biloxi, Mississippi, formerly of Hanson, Massachusetts and Whitney / Arlington, Texas, died peacefully at her assisted living facility on July 21, 2025. Born in Rockland, Massachusetts, Ruth was the beloved wife of 49 years of Leonard P. Russo (deceased) and the loving mother of Marjorie Blinstrub and her husband Thaddeus (“Ted”), Raymond Russo and his wife Rebecca (“Becky”) and Leonard A. Russo (“Tony”). She expressed great love for and pride in her grandchildren Chris, Matt, Alex, Angela, Patrick, Daniel and Tony and for her great-granddaughter Alice. Daughter of the late Raymond A. Lillie and Gladys S. (Parker) Lillie, Ruth was the youngest sibling to Curtis Lillie, Stanton Lillie, Raymond Lillie, Jr. and Grace Pierce, all of whom predeceased her. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Ruth grew up in Abington, Massachusetts and graduated from Abington High School in 1946. She recalled fondly the times she spent with her family swimming, fishing and boating at their camp on Furnace Pond in Pembroke. She would occasionally share her memories of the 1938 hurricane and the damage done, including toppling more than 100 trees at the camp which were milled on-site into lumber by her father and brothers.

Ruth was a life-long fan of the Boston Red Sox and attended many games as a young adult. Her favorite player was Ted Williams, whom she followed throughout his career. She met her future husband, Leonard, at a local “watering hole” after she had attended a game with a girlfriend. Her transistor radio was ever present as she listened to the play-by-play and to sports talk while going about her daily routine; the chatter waxing and waning as she moved about the house and gardens. Later in life she enjoyed watching games on television and did so until her last days.

Ruth preferred the outdoors and was an avid gardener and an early adopter of organic gardening practices. Her friends and neighbors on Oldham Pond in Hanson would often visit and enjoy the beauty of her flower gardens and the fruits of her vegetable garden. She enjoyed fishing and on calm summer evenings could often be seen rowing her small boat to a favorite fishing spot.

Ruth was a kind and loving wife, mother, sister and friend. She was without pretense and in many ways was as beautiful, generous and gentle as the flowers that she nurtured. She was loved and respected by those who knew her. Ruth will be so dearly missed by her family and friends.

A gathering for family and friends will take place on August 5, 2025, from 10:00 – 12:00 at the Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home, 4216 South Bowen Road, Arlington, Texas. The ceremony will take place on August 5, 2025, at 1:30 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas.