Ms Carmela V. Russo

Miss Carmela V. 'Babe'Russo, age 84 of 37 Congregational Street, Bristol, died peacefully Saturday, March 19, 2011 at her home surrounded by her nieces and nephews. Born in Bristol and a lifelong resident, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Granata) Russo. She was a floor lady at the former PF Industries in Bristol for 35 years, retiring in 1981. She previously worked at the former Bristol Manufacturing Company and Converse Rubber Company and during WWII she worked at the USRubber Company Victory Shift. Since her youth Carmela was active in Religious and Civil organizations, she was a graduate of Colt Memorial High School, Bristol, Class of 1944. While in high school she was the editor of the year book, vice-president of the Drama and Italian Club and very active in about every school organization, and as an honor student she received numerous certificates of merit. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Bristol, she was a member and past president of the Rosary and Altar Society, one of the founding members and the first president of the Nocturnal Adoration Society, she worked extensively on fund raising for the building of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School with the late Rev. Joseph Sorzano and was the chairperson for fund raising for the Parish Center of the church, she volunteered for Catholic Charity fund appeal for many years, she had served on the former parish council and chaired the former worship and spirituality committee. She was the first woman lector at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and active for many years on the 16th of July Feast Committee. In 1967 Carmela receive the highest honor of her parish in being named the first woman Chief Marshal of the 16th of July Feast Celebration in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, who Carmela was named in Our Lady's honor by her parents, being born on July 17. Carmela was very active participant in the Right to Life movement and also the Ecumenical movement. The Most Rev. Louis E. Gelineau while he was Bishop of Providence appointed Carmela to chair the committee to work on the Hatch Amendment and also for a Diocesan Liturgy Honoring Our Lady of Fatima. She was also a member and past Regent of the Hope Circle #70, Daughters of Isabella, along with her service to the Daughters not only locally but on a State and International level, she was a past State Regent and Vice Regent. In 1980 she was elected as an International Director and in 1982 was re-elected and she also served on the International budget and finance committee. Carmela's greatest achievement was to institute a Daughters of Isabella Circle on the Providence College Campus, the first time in the history of the Daughters this was done. Over the years Carmela served her community of Bristol by working for the Cancer Drive, United Way, Salvation Army, Multiple Sclerosis, a former member of the Bristol 4th of July Committee, for a number of years and especially her work for the March of Dimes, heading the Mothers' March and Chairman of the Bristol Campaign and vice chairman of the Bristol County, being recognized by them with a citation for being an outstanding organizer. She was also a member of the Leonardo DaVinci Lodge Sons of Italy, Bristol and received a certificate of merit from that organization and was a former member of the Bristol Democratic Town Committee. She was also a member of the Bristol Senior Citizens Council and member of the Kaiser Retirees. Carmela also loved to travel extensively and had toured Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Moracco, Greece, Holland, England, Hong Kong, Russia and Israel and most of the United States. Carmela is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Russo, five sisters, Concetta Zundell, Mary Cala, Sue Morris, Rose E. Capone and Josephine R. Favro. Funeral services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood Street, Bristol, Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 9:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 141 State Street, Bristol. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM. For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com

Service Information Cemetery St. Mary's Cemetery Chestnut Street Bristol, RI --> Visitation Wednesday March 23, 2011 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sansone Funeral Home 192 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 --> Service Thursday March 24, 2011 10:00 AM Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church 141 State St. Bristol, RI 02809 -->