Sheila A. Russo (nee Broadway), age 70, peacefully entered eternal life at home on December 25, 2024, Christmas Day, the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ, surrounded by her loving family. After a nearly life-long and courageous battle with scleroderma, Sheila never allowed the disease to define her.
She held both family and faith close to her heart. Sheila leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness,positivity, and a clever, quick wit which always made you laugh. Her heart was purer than gold, and her perpetual smile was infectious, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who knew her. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Sheila graduated from John Marshall High School where she met and fell in love with Ralph Russo, the love of her life and future husband, For the past seven years, she resided in North Ridgeville, Ohio.
Sheila is survived by her beloved and devoted husband of 49-½ years, Ralph; her loving children, Gabriel Russo (wife Vanessa) and Kristen Russo; and her cherished grandchildren, Annie (fiance Joshua), Andrew, Isabella, and Vincent. She was the daughter of the late James W. and Margaret E. Broadway (nee Nesmith).
Sheila is also survived by her brothers, Charles D., James H., Allen, Kenny, and Timothy Broadway. She was predeceased by her sisters Margaret “Peggy” Helderman (nee O’Shea), Patricia Hoyt (nee O’Shea), and Francis Joyce (nee O’Shea). She was a dear sister-in-law to Toni Marie Stephany (nee Russo) (husband Richard) and the late Gary Russo. She will also be remembered fondly by her cherished nieces and nephews, including Shanna Smith (nee Stephany) (husband Judd), Brian Stephany (wife Brook Watts), Linda Molnar (nee Helderman), and the late Amy Helderman, as well as many other extended family members and friends.
Sheila was active in the National Scleroderma Foundation Lower Great Lakes Chapter, dedicating herself to raising awareness about the disease. She received support from her local community and was honored with a Proclamation by the Mayor of North Ridgeville declaring Scleroderma Awareness Month.
Family and friends may call at CRACIUN BERRY FUNERAL HOME, 7200 DETROIT AVE., CLEVELAND, OHIO 44102, FOR VISITATION ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2025, FROM 4-8PM. ALL ARE INVITED TO GATHER AT OUR LADY OF ANGELS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 3644 ROCKY RIVER DRIVE, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44111, ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2025, AT 11:30 AM, FOR A FUNERAL MASS CELEBRATING SHEILA’S LIFE. A private interment at Holy Cross Cemetery will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored by donations in Sheila’s memory to the Lower Great Lakes Chapter of the National Scleroderma Foundation; scleroderma.org/LGLDonations
All donations made through the link provided, will go exclusively toward research in the name of Sheila.
