In Memoriam: Marie Stefanelli Russo

From Hoyt Funeral Home.

Marie Stefanelli Russo passed peacefully on Thursday, March 3, 2016.

Marie recently celebrated her 96th birthday and lived her last years at The Greens in Wilton.

Marie was born in New York City and as a young child moved to Ridgefield. She chose to enlist in the Army during World War II and was one of the three female WWII veterans from Ridgefield.

In 1950 she married Anthony Russo of New Canaan where she remained until 2012. She was an active member of St. Aloysius Church serving in the Women’s Guild and was a Eucharistic Minister for many years.

Marie is survived by her son Stephen (Cheryl), daughters Deb (John) and Jo-Ann (David), Brother Robert (Dorothy), half- brother Lewis (Vickie) and step sister Nora. She had five grandchildren (Nick, Joseph, Anne, Danielle (Juan) and Jessica, two great-grandchildren (Layla Marie and Juan) and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Anthony, Sister Alice, parents Arcadio Stefanelli and Sylvia Latanzi and five step-sisters and one step-brother.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Greens who treated her with dignity and respect.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 7, at 11 a.m. with visiting hours prior to mass beginning 9:30 a.m. at Hoyt Funeral Home in New Canaan.

Donations can be made in her memory to St. Aloysius Church, Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT 06840.