RUSSO – Josephine (nee Lapiana) of Tonawanda, entered into rest December 11, 2017, age 92; beloved wife of the late William Russo; devoted mother of Patricia (David) Thomas, Joanne Russo, Doris Russo and William (Kathleen) Russo; cherished grandmother of Lauren (Michele Cerimele) Cerimele-Welch, Kimberly (Charles Wilber) Wilkins, Kristina (Trevor) Brown, Gregory (Rachel) Wilkins, Rachel Hart (Justin Seitenbach), Margaret Russo and Elizabeth Russo; fond great-grandmother of John Tracy and Meena Sofia; dear sister of Carmella (Blase) Caruana, Richard (late Antoinette) LaPiana and the late Vincenza, John, Mary, Louis, Helen, Santo, William, Doris and Grace.
Born in Buffalo, NY on January 7, 1925 to Salvatore and Agnes LaPiana, Josephine was one of 12 siblings and was a 50-year resident of the Town of Tonawanda. After graduating from Hutchinson Central High School, she worked at the W. Hengerer Co. until her marriage in 1949. After her four children were born, Josephine returned to work in the Buffalo Public Schools as a Teacher Aide, retiring in 1990 as a School Clerk. Josephine’s greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she often exclaimed, “Don’t we have great kids!”
Relatives and friends may visit the LOMBARDO FUNERAL HOME (Northtowns Chapel), 885 Niagara Falls Blvd., near Eggert/Sheridan Dr., on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Neuman Center, 495 Skinnersville Rd., Amherst, on Friday morning at 9 o’clock (please assemble at church). Entombment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Josephine’s name to the Hospice Foundation of WNY.
