Teresa (DeBernardis) Russo

Mrs. Teresa R. (DeBernardis) Russo, age 85, of Utica, passed away on Tuesday, August 14, 2007. Born in Utica on August 16, 1921, Teresa was the daughter of the late Serafino and Lucia (DeRisio) DeBernardis. She was raised and educated locally. On November 15, 1941 she married Albert C. Russo with whom she shared a blessed union of nearly 40 years until his passing on October 20, 1981. Among her years of employment, Teresa had great memories as a school crossing guard on the corner of Jay St. and Kossuth Ave., and as a retail clerk at State Street Mill. A true matriarch, she touched the lives of everyone with whom she came in contact. Teresa cherished her family, and referred to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as her “joys”. In fact, she was respected as a "Grandma” to many. Her greatest pleasure was caring for her family and cooking for them on all occasions. Over the years, she enjoyed numerous trips and vacations with her family. She enjoyed singing and listening to opera. She was a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Church and a member of the Ladies Auxillary of the Knights of St. John Commandery #321. Teresa is survived by her five children; her sons and daughters-in-law, John A. and Kathleen (Simone) Russo, and Serafino “Sam” and Johann (Manganelli) Russo, all of Utica; her daughters and sons-in-law, Lucy (Russo) and Donald Nickel of TN, Dolores (Russo) and Benny Orlowski of Frankfort, and Alberta (Russo) and Albert Martorella of Utica; her fifteen grandchildren, Michele (Russo) and Walter Witt; Renee (Russo) and Gerald Sullivan, David and Renee (Danella) Russo, Audra (Russo) and Mark Colucci, Keith “Casey” Russo, Joseph Russo, Teresa Penny (Nickel) and Joseph Mann; Carla Nickel, Donald and Marti (Waugh) Nickel, Stacy (Orlowski) and James Ludwikowski, Russell Orlowski, Adam Orlowski, Teresa Rose Martorella, Danielle Martorella, and Marissa Martorella; and her fifteen great-grandchildren, Dominica Witt, Ethan Witt, Evan Witt; Christopher Sullivan, Rachel Sullivan, Olivia Russo, Daniel Russo, Julia Marie Colucci; Austin Mann, Joelle Mann, Jacqueline Mann, Eden Payne, Timothy Payne, Zachary Reif, and Bryce Ludwikowski. Also surviving are her sisters and brothers-in-law, Lucy LeoGrande, Carmella Perkins, Elvira and Clarence Williams, Marie and John Carbone, and Rita Davis, all of Utica; a brother and sister-in-law, Serafino and Rosemary DeBernardis of Utica; and her many nieces, and nephews, with special acknowledgment of her late sister Anna Frances Cicigline’s children and grandchildren with whom Teresa held a special bond: Vincent Cicigline, Roseanne King, Linda Pulaski, Patricia Abraham, and Lucien Cicigline; her great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and her sister-in-law, Angeline Grasso of Florida. Teresa was blessed with many lifelong friends and very special relationships of more than fifty years with Mae and Rock Galimo and their daughters Gina, and Julie; Angelo and Lucy Simone; and Patty Creswell and Marie Nitti and their families. She was predeceased by her sisters and brother-in-law, Anna Frances and Lucien Cicigline, and Linda Lowery; her brothers and sister-in-law, John DeBernardis, and Anthony F. and Amelia DeBernardis; her in-laws, Frank and Grace Russo, Joseph LeoGrande, Salvatore Noti, Sean Davis, Herb Perkins, John and Carmella Russo, George and Mary Bonamassa and Mike Grasso; and a very special niece and inseparable friend, Carol Sinker. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the care and friendship provided to Teresa “Lola”, as Teresa was fondly referred to by the staff at the Charles T. Sitrin Healthcare Center. Visitation will be held Friday (today) from 4:00-7:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. The Ladies Auxillary of the Knights of St. John Commandery #321 will assemble for Ritualistic Services at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Teresa’s funeral service will commence on Saturday morning at 9:30 from the funeral home and at 10:30 from St. Anthony of Padua Church, where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery. "While she has never driven a car, she always managed to be the driving force." "She was a woman without a formal education, yet she inspired so many with her wisdom."

Teresa (DeBernardis) Russo

August 16, 1921 - August 14, 2007