Virginia Edith Russo, “Ginny”, a lifelong resident of Pasadena, MD, passed away at the age of 87 on May 15, 2013. She was born in Baltimore on May 2, 1926 to the late Nelson and Alberta Pape.

Ginny’s career spanned 20 years as a custodian at the Ft. Smallwood Elementary School; she loved the children and the teachers. After retirement in 1988 she was able to do more of the things she loved: crabbing, fishing, watching old movies (especially John Wayne), playing Bingo, going to craft shows, putting together puzzles, enjoying the many, many family gatherings and dinners, and her dog Mitzi.

Along with her parents, Ginny is preceded in death by her beloved husband Joseph Peter Russo, Sr., who died in 1978; her sister Hilda Carnaggio; brother and sister-in-law William and Pat Pape; daughter-in-law Ruth Russo and three sons-in-law: Thomas C. Gavin, Raymond Vogelsang, and William Oster.

She is survived by her seven children: Anna Vogelsang, Virginia Myers and her husband Howard, Joseph Russo, Jr., Linda Gavin, Barbara Oster, Carlyn Diamond and her husband Joseph, and William Russo and his wife Karen; her sister Florence O’Connor, brother Charles Pape; 18 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit at the Gregory J. Gonce Funeral Home, PA, 169 Riviera Drive, Pasadena, on Monday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM. Her funeral service will commence at 11 AM on Tuesday, with interment to follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Feel free to express your condolences here as well.