Maria Concetta "Connie" Russo

Maria Concetta “Connie” (Annino) Russo, 92, of Wethersfield, beloved wife for 59 years of the late Vincenzo Russo, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 17, 2024. Born in Melilli, Province of Siracusa, Italy, the daughter of the late Sebastiano and Giuseppa (Misenti) Annino, she resided in Wethersfield for over 39 years before moving to Suwanee, GA ten years ago. She leaves behind sons, John Russo and his wife Tonja of Nashville, TN and Sebastian Russo and his wife Kelle of Suwanee, GA; her six precious grandchildren, Zachary, Jacob, Claire, Gabrielle, Nicole and Matthew; her sister, Maria Fiorentino of Manchester and sisters-in-law, Nella Russo and Phyliss Annino, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her loving husband Vincenzo, Connie was sadly predeceased by her treasured granddaughter, Alyssa Mary Russo; her sister, Lena Patania; five brothers, Rosario, Louis, Victorio, Sebastiano Annino and Emilio Annino; brothers-in-law, Salvatore Fiorentino, Salvatore Russo and Santo Salafia; sisters-in-law, Albina Salafia and Maria Russo and nephews, Sal Salafia and John Russo.

Connie grew up quickly. Following her mother’s death when Connie was just 12 years old, she assumed the role of family caretaker, mending into the night and playing with her younger sister Maria. She learned to cook, a talent which carried into her adult years.

She was a dreamer. Believing that “America is for everyone”, at the age of 17 she boarded a boat in Sicily and made her way through Ellis Island, NY to Middletown, CT. Following a return trip to Melilli and marriage to her husband Vincenzo “Vinnie”, she returned to Middletown. Working in shifts at the Goodyear factory, she and Vinnie began their American dream, buying a home and starting a family. They moved to Hartford in the mid-60’s and finally to Wethersfield in the 70’s, where she and Vinnie lived for the next 39 years. Following his death, she moved to Suwanee, GA to be closer to Sebby and his family.

Connie loved her family. Each of her grandchildren were her “favorite” and did not miss an opportunity to tell each of them so. Sunday dinner with her family gathered around the kitchen table brought her much joy. Some might argue that her meatballs and sauce would rival a Michelin Chef’s “Sunday Meatballs and Gravy”. Her green beans were meticulously picked one by one and prepared second to none. She loved to share her cooking talents and was thrilled to know that her grandchildren had learned from her and were carrying on her legacy of meatball making. She was playful. She loved watching her grandchildren climb her backyard tree in Wethersfield. It was not unusual for Grandma, as she was known to Gabrielle, Nicole and Mathew or Mima to Zachary, Jacob and Claire, to grab a branch, lift her feet and swing with them. A visit with her grandchildren often included a game of Uno, mischievously laughing at the chance to shout Uno when it was her turn. Connie loved to shop. From her independent bus trips to G. Fox in downtown Hartford to trips to Marshalls, she could score a bargain like no other. She loved sharing keepsakes with her grandchildren, knowing the mere presence of those gifts would be an endearing reminder of her love for each of them. Later in life, she looked forward to her trips to Walmart with her friends from Antebellum James Burgess Assisted Living Home, buying and doling out margarita mixers each week, being sure to stockpile enough to share with her visitors and grandchildren during their regular visits. Connie will be missed, but leaves those gifted keepsakes and her playful spirit as reminders of her love for her family.

Calling hour will be Friday, June 28 from 10-11 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church of Christ the King Parish, 601 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. In lieu of flowers, donations in Connie’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. To share a memory of Connie, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com