The Life of FLORENCE M. RUSSO

Florence M. Russo, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend died on May 1st in Reading Hospital. Florence was born on July 27, 1937 to Florence and William Albers of Jersey City, NJ. She was the eldest of seven children. She and her husband, John, were married on June 5, 1960 and were devoted to each other. Becoming a Registered Nurse had a major influence on her life. She met her future husband, John F. Russo, MD, in the hospital where she was a Head Nurse and he was a medical student. Indeed, Florence successfully renewed her license decades later after having raised her three children, Nancy, John, and Pam. She was a proud member of St. Joe’s “3B” and made several lifelong friendships among her nursing colleagues. Her compassion for her patients and the stash of beauty products she kept in her locker were what set her apart from other nurses. A lifelong reader, she often told stories of going to the library with her sisters and taking out stacks of books each week. She passed on her love of reading to her children and even volunteered in her children’s school library. Florence also devoted her time to many worthy causes throughout her life. As a nurse, she volunteered in her children’s schools as well as with the Red Cross and in 1972, went to Wilkes Barre, PA to assist with necessary medical aid after the devastating flood. She continued her volunteering with the Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary Medical Society and the Reading Symphony Orchestra League. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, May 9th at 11 a.m. at St. Catharine of Siena R.C. Church, 4975 Boyertown Pike, Reading, PA 19606. A visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. in the church. Burial will be private at Gethsemane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Exeter Community Library, 4569 Prestwick Dr., Reading, PA 19606 and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Allentown,234 Grace Street, Reading, PA 19611. Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., Reading is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, visit www.StitzelFamilyFuneralHomes.com.