Mary Russo

We are sad to announce the passing of Mary Russo of most recently Athens, GA and Mount Pleasant, SC. Mary died at age 88 on October 25, 2023. Mary passed away at Mulberry Grove Senior Living in Statham, GA due of natural causes. The funeral will be held on November 17th at the Catholic Center at the University of Georgia.

She is survived by her daughter Kathy and her husband Chip Malanoski, her son Bill and his wife Sharon and daughter Jordan; and her son Bob and his wife Anita and daughter Carly. She was preceded in death by her sister Jessica, brothers Ed and Joe, John, and her grandson Joseph. She is survived by sisters Cecelia, Stella, and Clara. Mary was born in the Southampton, NY. Her identical twin Stella, and brothers and sisters grew up in Manville, NJ.

Mary's days of youth were spent in Manville, New Jersey where family rumors remember the young twin sisters as trouble. She graduated from high school in Dunellen, NJ. Mary met her husband and the love of her life, William "Bill" E. Russo while both were working at American Cyanamid in Bound Brook, NJ.They were married for 57 years before the passing of Bill in 2015, https://obits.postandcourier.com/us/obituaries/charleston/name/william-russo-obituary?id=18541571.

Bill and Mary had a happy life, often visiting or being visited by their friends and family and traveling the world. They lived in Middlesex, NJ, moved to Savannah, GA for 5 years, and then returned to New Jersey living in Denville and Morris Plains until their retirement in 1989. After travelling around the USA, looking for their ideal retirement location, they settled in Mount Pleasant, SC. Mary had pride in volunteering at church, in schools, at golf tournaments and generously gave to various charities. Mary enjoyed long fast-paced walks, playing golf, and gathering with her friends from Snee Farms. Always competitive and up for a challenge, a morning walk with would often turn into a race. She enjoyed improving her golf game and success in tournaments. Her home proudly displayed her "hole in one" award. Mary was a great and much loved mother, grandmother, and sibling. Sassy and soulful, Mary was an inspiration to family and friends. She had a laugh that filled the hearts of those she loved.

After the passing of Bill, Mary moved into a lovely home in Athens, GA to join her son and daughter. There, she was limited by health problems. After an injury and surgery, Mary's final years were spent at Mulberry Grove Senior Living where she was visited by her children almost daily. She is now happily slow dancing with her husband and soulmate in heaven.

Mary's Rite of Christian Burial service and a celebration of her life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 17, 2023 in the Catholic Center at the University of Georgia, 1344 S. Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30605. A brief interment will follow at the Evergreen Memorial Park, 3655 Atlanta Highway, Athens, GA 30606.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 or to Catholic Charities, 1662 Ingram Road, Charleston, SC 29407.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/athens-ga/mary-russo-11511711

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.