Irene Josephine Russo died Tuesday, May 21, 2019 on her 76th birthday, in the Casa De La Luz Hacienda in Tucson, AZ.
Born in Lawrence on May 21, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Gasparino and Josephine (Nocera) Russo. She resided in Charlestown, MA prior to living in Tucson, AZ. She was a graduate of Saint Mary’s High School in Lawrence Class of 1961, the Lynn Hospital School of Nursing and Salem State, earning her B.S.N.
Irene had an extensive nursing career working as an operating nurse at the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, NYC and Massachusetts General Hospital, the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital as a dialysis nurse and Bay Ridge Hospital psychiatric head nurse crisis team.
She is survived by two sisters, Constance R Arcari of Magnolia and Mary Jo Russo Ficocello of Beverly married to her late husband Frank Ficocello. One niece, Julie Arcari Cook and her husband, Doug Cook of Magnolia; two nephews, Jay Arcari and his wife Laura of Gloucester and Jeffry Arcari and his wife, Holly of Manchester, MA; six great nephews and niece Olivia Cook and Ben Cook, Nicholas, Enzo, Gusparino and Oliver Arcari and many cousins and dear friends.
Irene loved to ski, swim and hike. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends regardless of her ailments. A lover of animals, she was recognized as the cat lady in her neighborhood.
Her funeral Mass was held on Thursday July 18, 2019 at Sacred Heart Church Manchester-by-the-Sea at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends were invited to attend. Burial was in Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home 525 Cabot Street Beverly. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the mitoaction.org/give, select the Matthew-Harty camper fund or Friends of Beverly Animals PO Box 3378 Beverly, MA 01915. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
