Russo, Barbara Ann (Janssen)
Barbara Ann (Janssen) Russo, 84 of Old Lyme, formerly of Newington, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2023. She was the beloved wife of John A Russo Jr. for 63 years. Barbara was born in Braeburn Pennsylvania on February 27, 1938, daughter of the late Albert and Hadassa Janssen. Barbara and John met in Tucson, Arizona and moved to Connecticut to begin their life together and start a family. They raised their seven children in Newington which kept her busy with all their activities while becoming an active member of the community. She worked for many years as a Head Teacher at Newington Elementary Children's Center, Inc. Barbara was a selfless person with a kind and loving heart. She loved hosting parties where friends and family would gather around for her wonderful cooking and baking. She enjoyed gardening, playing tennis, going to plays, concerts, movies, her Monday mahjong group, weekend card games, traveling with family and friends, and her annual Christmas party where she brought everyone together. She was an avid sports fan and especially loved attending Uconn and Connecticut Sun basketball games. Barbara was a member of the Catholic Ladies of Columbus-our Lady of Grace Assembly at St Mary's Church, a member of Holy Spirit Church in Newington where she found great joy in volunteering at the annual Mother's Day plant sale, and Christ the King Church in Old Lyme. Barbara was a loving devoted wife and mother and her greatest joy was being a grandmother. She remained in Newington until she retired. Barbara then moved permanently to her summer home on Roger's Lake in Old Lyme where she filled her time entertaining, teaching mahjong and volunteering at the Old Saybrook Senior Center. She spent the winter months at their home in Hallandale, Florida.
Barbara will be dearly missed by her loving husband John A Russo Jr., and their children John A. Russo III, Vincent Russo, Melanie Scelza and her husband Frank, Stefanie Russo, Scott Russo, Michele Nanci, and her grandchildren Stephen Grondin, Amanda and Stefanie Russo, Nicole & Justin Lavette, Samantha and Jonathan Russo, Frankie and Micaela Scelza, Kar Landers, Marina and Gianna Nanci, and her great-grandchildren Trevor, Amelia, Natalia, and Carter. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her son Todd, her Step Father Doc Agnew, siblings and their spouses, William and Margaret Janssen, Philip and Joan Crider, Warren Janssen and Richard and Michele Diller. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family on Monday, March 6th, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. She will be laid to rest privately. To share a memory with her family, please visit us at www.duksa. net.