Marilyn Ruth Russo
August 24, 1937 ~ October 8, 2020
Born in:
San Francisco, California
Resided in:
Fremont, California
Marilyn Ruth Russo (née Martinez) passed away on October 8, 2020 after a battle with bladder cancer. Born in San Francisco on August 24, 1937, Marilyn was a larger-than-life presence: gregarious, talkative, opinionated, and most of all loving. From friendships begun during her days at Star of the Sea Elementary and High schools to travel companions in retirement years, Marilyn spent her life building and cultivating relationships — she was even known to pick up friends for her children.
The most important relationships in her life, though, were her family. When she was introduced to Thomas Russo by a dear friend, she was, in true Marilyn fashion, decisive (says Tom: “After a couple dates, I said, ‘I think I love you,’ and the next thing I knew I was getting married!”). The couple married in 1964, and the large, loving (and loud) family they created was their shared passion throughout their 56 years of marriage. Ask her five children Marilyn’s motto and they’ll all laugh, “You’re only as happy as your saddest child.” But as much as Gregg Russo, Elise Markel, Scott Russo, Kristen Merghart, and Suzanne Russo joked with their mother about her constant worrying, love of pictures with matching clothing, and “unique” organizational style, they’re all grateful for her fierce devotion to and unfaltering pride in them. Her children-in-law (Tiffany Russo, Paul Markel, Denise Russo, and Steve Merghart) fondly remember her easy humor and the endless adoration she bestowed on her eleven grandchildren. And her grandchildren (Alyssa, Nicolette, and Olivia Russo; Justin and Lauren Markel; Giovanni, Gabriella, and Dario Russo; and Gianna, Nathan, and Zachary Merghart) will forever cherish memories of Nonna’s pumpkin bread, tea parties, special treats, ferry rides, Johnny Rockets’ restaurant adventures, and so much more.
During their 52 years living in Fremont, Marilyn and Tom enjoyed an amazing community of friends-cum-family, mostly from their days as Holy Spirit and Moreau Catholic parents. If friendship were a company, Marilyn would’ve been the CEO — she regularly enjoyed lunches and long phone calls with her many friends, and she loved hosting dinners and parties in her home. After devoting her life to raising children, she got to indulge her love of travel in later years, enjoying many cruises and other trips. She was the nucleus of her vast extended family, keeping tabs on cousins both near and far-flung. And in addition to mothering her five children, Marilyn is considered “honorary mother” by countless others she welcomed and nurtured over the years.
A service will be held on Saturday, December 5 at Holy Spirit. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, in-person attendance is limited, but the service will be streamed for those unable to attend.
Many reading this have received a greeting card (or several) from Marilyn over the years — in sympathy or celebration following significant life events, or just because. If you wish to honor her memory, please send a card to a loved one.
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Remembering with loving memories our Sunday morning Breakfast Club at McDonalds, so many good times will remain in my heart.
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful vibrant person. I love your mom’s motto “You’re only as happy as your saddest child.” So true for all of us moms. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with Marilyn and your entire family during this difficult time.
With love,
Lisa and Tony Zinno
Jamie
Such a nice tribute to your mom. She sure did a wonderful job as CEO of friendship, so many beautiful friendships she and your dad created. She will surely be missed. Love and prayers to the Russo Family.
May God bless you my dear friend of over 40 years–can’t remember ever having a disagrement or even a spat.
I shall miss you forever, and thank you for so many good memories and times together. Lovingly, Liz
Marilyn was a cousin, a friend, and an inspiration. She babysat my siblings, provided guidance on motherhood after our mother left us, and was an ongoing source of family connections and love. I loved her and still love her family for always being there-a testimony to being joined together by more than being relatives. Being her flower girl showed that the span of years could produce a new blossoming of a relationship for all my family.
much love,
Geralyn
Marilyn was a wonderful and generous woman who always had a kind word and a warm hug. She is the reason that I get to have her amazing daughter Suzanne as a best friend. I am forever grateful. Thank you, Marilyn, for giving so much of yourself while you were with us all. May you have eternal peace. My thoughts are with Tom and the Russo family.
Love,
Tiffany May
In memory of your dear and loving mother, Marilyn, we offer you this poem by an unknow author:
“Your Mother is always with you, She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, She’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick, the fragrance of life itself. She’s the cool hand on your brow when you were little and not feeling well, She’s your breath in the air on a cold winter’s day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of the rainbow; She is Christmas morning. Your Mother lives inside your laughter, She’s the place you came from, your first home, and she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you … not time … not space … Not even death.” Sending all the Russo Family our deepest condolences … we will miss her.
Marilyn was very special to me in several ways. She was my godmother, and it made me happy to know that she always valued this unique and enduring link between us. She was also my cousin, but just enough older to play a much different role than most of my other cousins. When we were very young, she was a babysitter to my sisters and me. Later she took us on outings. Gradually, we realized that she was always just that much ahead of us, giving us a hint of which steps we might encounter a little later in our own lives. Now, as Marilyn has preceded us once again, I remember her courage and optimism as examples still calling us forward.
With love and prayers,
Julianne, Peter, Allison and Jeannine
Our family has been blessed to know and love Marilyn these past 35 years. Our daughters Christie and Suzanne met in first grade and so started our friendship. Marilyn was the most complimentary person I have ever met. She always found something good to say about everyone. She had a fierce love of her family but she didn’t sugarcoat their lives and let us know they weren’t angels (unlike her amazing grandchildren) We loved hearing stories of all their adventures. Marilyn was a great story teller, witty and funny and always made you laugh. We will miss her dearly. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the entire Russo family.
Colleen, Terry and the Frazier family
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Marilyn Russo and I extend our condolences to the Russo family. I know she loved her family and gave 150% to whatever task she endeavored. Although Marilyn was a bit older than me, our son, Brian Milanese and her daughter, Suzanne were classmates at both Holy Spirit and Moreau Catholic.
We were devoted mothers juggling the schedules of our children and deeply involved in the everyday and special events of Holy Spirit School, Church as well as other extra-curricular activities our children took part.
Marilyn was so very proud of her children and grandchildren but wished they lived closer to her especially in later years. I enjoyed the substantive conversations we shared and especially the one at Kinko’s in Fremont which was by accident and the last one I had with her while visiting my own mother in Fremont. Heaven has gained a treasure and God has called her home as she can now see her children and grandchildren from a heavenly front-row seat. Marilyn, may you rest in peace in God’s loving embrace… you will be missed!