Russo Sebastiana Veronica (nee Passanisi),

known as “Nella” to her family and friends, age 76, of Affton, Missouri, Asleep in Jesus, Tuesday, January 4, 2022.  She was born on September 12, 1945 in Sicily, Italy, the sixth of seven children born to Vincenzo Passanisi and Sarafina Lombardo.  United in marriage in 1970 to Peter Russo.  Mother of two children; (Late) Michael, Mary Lynn Trower (Duane).  Loving “Nanna” to her grandchildren Michael Trower, Mary Clare Trower, Grant Trower (Hanna), Greg Trower (Marie).  Sibling to (Late) Giuseppe “Joe” Passanisi (Late Mariella), Antonino Passanisi (Late Giuseppina), (Late) Emanuele Passanisi (Late Carmela), (Late) Concettina LaScola (Virgil), Umberto Passanisi (Santina), (Late) Lidia Morello (Gino).  Dear Sister-in-law to Anna Marie Perotta (Late Pete), (Late) Rose Mary Peluso (Late Blaise), (Late) Donna Russo, Barbara Canziani (Andy).  Dear Zia, Aunt, Great-Aunt, Cousin and dear friend to many.

After living with only three of her siblings for four years, in 1966, at age 20, Nella boarded a boat with her brother, Umberto, and sisters, Lidia and Concettina, to make her journey to America, and be reunited with her mom and brother who came before them.  With only a green metal trunk with some possessions, and unable to speak English she arrived and settled on The Hill.  Nella had a job waiting for her in a clothing factory on Washington Ave, and she started meeting people and wanting to teach herself English.  She met her husband Pete, whose family also lived on The Hill, and they married on January 10, 1970.  They moved to Affton and Nella quickly formed friendships with her neighbors. She loved being a wife, taking care of her house, cooking, and becoming a mom in October 1970.

Nella was a great Mom.  During her son Michael’s and daughter Mary Lynn’s childhood and teenage years, many friends and their families came to know Nella for her Italian accent that invited and welcomed them into her home for many meals before important games or events and parties.   She became a second mother to many of those friends.  Friends and their families loved her easy, out-going, inviting manner.  Once she took you in, from that point forward, she became fiercely protective.   Nella loved her extended family.  She enjoyed very close friendships with her two sisters and three brothers, that lived in America, and they shared many years of holiday meals and gatherings together with the kids.  Many get-togethers were filled with Sicilian language directed at the kids, who answered in English.  She also maintained a close bond with her brother in Sicily, and his family.  In more recent years, she enjoyed many facetime chats and exchanging pictures and messages with them.

Nella was a loving and caring wife to Pete for 52 years.  She always kept a clean house, cooked meals, sewed, and managed the household social calendar.  She was strong, honest, caring, welcoming, faithful, and most definitely selfless.

Nella’s biggest joy in her life was her kids.  Her life was changed forever after the tragic passing of her son, Michael, at age 19, 31 years ago.  She explained it as a cross that she had to bear until she could see him again.  It was a pain that was always there, but she found many more joys in her life and loved doing anything and everything with her daughter Mary Lynn.  She loved to cook for family and friends, go out to lunch, and form friendships with all those who visited her with clothing that needed alterations.

Later in life, Nella’s great joy was her grandchildren Michael and Mary Clare, who affectionately called her “Nanna.”    She spent much time with them both in their childhood and as young adults.  She was so happy using her skills to help with costume design and alterations with the Professional Dance Center where Mary Clare danced.  And being who she was, she adopted many of those girls, and other high school friends as her “grandchildren” too.   She loved her relationship with Grant, his wife Hanna, Greg, and his wife, Marie and made them part of her family.  Holidays were special to her, gathering her big Italian family together for phenomenal food and fun.   The pandemic was very difficult on her in recent years as it limited interactions with so many she loved.   She lived for her family and loved being with them.  Everyone who knew Nella fell in love with her and her welcoming, motherly persona.  She lived and built an extraordinary life.

We will miss her terribly, but take comfort knowing that God is good, and she has been reunited with her son Michael.  And that is joyful!

Services: Visitation at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church 11910 Eddie & Park Rd, St. Louis MO 63126, Monday, January 10, 2022 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, January 11, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. until the Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. Interment follows at Resurrection Cemetery, 6901 MacKenzie Rd, St. Louis, Mo 63123