Mary V. Russo

Mary Virginia Russo, 89, a resident of Las Vegas for over 30 years, passed away on July 7, 2012, at The Homestead at Boulder City, after a long and difficult battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Mary was born November 4, 1922, in Jenette, Pennsylvania to Bernado and Antoinetta DiMarzio. She was married to John W. Russo on November 15, 1942. And so began their beautiful love story that lasted for 53 years. After following her husband around the country whenever the Army Air Corp would allow, they settled in Haverhill, Massachusetts where she spent many years working for the Hartman Shoe Company. She then left to work as an executive secretary at Western Electric (Bell Labs, AT&T). Mary and John took an early retirement and moved to Las Vegas. Mary was not one to sit idlely around and so she looked for places to volunteer. For the next 30 years, she volunteered for The United Way, Senior Friends/H2U, The Pioneers Club, The MDA Telethon, The Sunshine Girls (working for Sunrise Children's Hospital), etc. She received many awards for her years of service to Las Vegas. She also received the honor of being one of the Citizens of Distinction in 2002. Mary loved to knit and do Japanese Bunka embroidering. Everything she did was done to perfection. She is survived by her daughter, Pam Leonard, her granddaughter, Kerry (Leonard) Milburn, her grandson, Rolfe Robert Leonard, and three great grandchildren, Anthony, Gabriella, Rolfe, and many nieces and nephews. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, July 18, 2012 at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Avenue.