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SALLY RUSSO Obituary
SALLY JEAN WISE, It is with profound sorrow that we record her passing on March 13, 2015 at the age of 79. She was a cherished wife, mother, grand-mother, sister, aunt, and friend, who died at home, surrounded by her loving family.
Sally was born on Nov. 4, 1935 in Philadelphia, PA, to Sarah Mitchell Wise and William Charles Wise. She was a magna cum laude graduate of Bryn Mawr College, and held Master's degrees from the Yale University Department of Classics and from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Due to this extensive training and her compassionate, insightful and dedicated nature, she had a long career in the Philadelphia area as a teacher, social worker, psychotherapist, and hospital administrator at the Horsham Clinic and at the Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital.
In retirement, she and her husband moved to the Saratoga Springs, NY area to be with their daughters and their families. In her new surroundings, Sally continued to connect with and to inspire others. She will be remembered always by all who knew her for her gentle encouragement, her unfailing support, her exceptional generosity and her remarkable lovingkindness.
She will be deeply missed by her husband of 55 years, Joseph Russo, her daughters Nina and Maura, her grandchildren Maisie and Phineas, her sisters Maureen Elizabeth and Nancy Ellen, her brother-in-law Bill Connelly, her son-in-law Mark O'Brien, her nephew Grover, her nieces Irene, Kathleen, and Rosalind, her brother- and sister-in-law Robert and Lila Russo her nephews Scott and David (Mary), and many extended family members and friends.
Memorial services in honor of Sally will be held on Saturday March 28th at the Radnor Methodist Church, 930 Conestoga Road, Bryn Mawr, PA , 11 A.M. and at a later date in Saratoga Springs, NY.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for SALLY RUSSO
6 Entries
Judy Wubnig
January 15, 2017
I was in graduate school at Yale and lived in the same dorm with Sally. I remember when she married Joe. My condolences to her family. Judy Wubnig
Elizabeth Ferber
April 21, 2015
Sally was my mother's best friend and they both died too soon. I hope they're enjoying one another's company again. I miss them both.
Martha Starke
April 17, 2015
I remember sitting on Maura's porch with Sally, talking about some challenges in my life. She listened with a smile in her eyes, compassionate and kind. But there was something more that she communicated with that smile: that it wasn't all so bad and I would be OK. She was right. I only met her a few times, but I am so glad I did. My deepest sympathy for the Russo family.
Ann Seelaus
March 27, 2015
Sally was so instrumental in helping me (and my family) in dealing with the suicide of my brother and ways to deal with mental health issues that affect family and friends! I will always hold her in my heart as one of my "Mother's 5 s" ...so sorry for her loss!!
marian houston
March 25, 2015
Sally's kindness and understanding were a great help to me during a difficult time in my life: divorce and unhappy adolescent children. The children grew up into wonderful adults, and my life has been so much happier and easier. Still, I am often comforted and inspired by memories of Sally and her comments and advice.
Sally & Joseph at Donna & Judith's wedding
Sandy Dempsey
March 22, 2015
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