Obituary of Margaret M. Russo

Margaret M. Russo, 86, of Dongan Hills, passed away on November 18, 2024 surrounded by her family at the Addeo House Hospice facility. She was predeceased by her husband, Michael. She is survived by her daughters Joanne Williams and Theresa Russo, her grandchildren Christina Williams, Patrick Williams; great-grandchild Abigail Leming; and her sister Josephine Leuschner. Margaret was born in Brooklyn to Bartolo and Margherita Russo. She grew up in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn where her parents owned a small family run grocery store. Margaret would often tell stories of how much she loved growing up there. In 1960 she met her future husband Michael Russo through her sister Josephine and Josephine's friend MaryAnn, who was Michael's sister. They married on September 1st, 1962 and lived in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. That is where their daughters Joanne and Theresa were born. In June of 1967 they left Brooklyn and moved to their new home in Dongan Hills, Staten Island where she lived for 57 years. Margaret was a homemaker for many years. She eventually worked for the New York City Department of Education School Lunch program at Susan Wagner H.S. and was a Board of Elections Poll Worker for many years. Margaret enjoyed cooking, sewing, and doing crafts. In her spare time, she enjoyed volunteering at the food pantry at St. Ann's and attending various charitable events with her husband with St. Ann's Church or the Italian Club of Staten Island. Margaret loved to travel. She was able to take many wonderful trips to places like Hawaii and sailing through the Panama Canal. Visiting Panarea, the birthplace of her parents, was the trip of a lifetime for her. She also enjoyed taking frequent trips down to Fort Myers Beach, FL and Atlantic City, but mostly, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren Christina and Patrick and her great-granddaughter Abigail. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in memory of Margaret M. Russo. Please be sure to include her name when making a donation. Funeral from the Matthew Funeral Home, Inc., 2508 Victory Boulevard, on Monday, 11/25. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ann's R.C. Church at 11am. Interment to follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to visit on Saturday and Sunday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.