Lynne Russo

Family-Placed Obituary

LYNNE DE KWIATKOWSKI RUSSO Lynne de Kwiatkowski Russo, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, has passed away this Christmas Eve, 2009. She was 70 years old. Her husband and family were by her side at West Marion Hospital in Ocala, Florida. Lynne dek Russo, was born on May 2, 1939 in New York City. The daughter of Minerva Fedyn and Frank B. Sawdon; an advertising executive at Frank B. Sawdon, Inc. Minerva Fedyn, remarried Paul W. Williams, a former U.S. Attorney and Supreme Court judge. Lynne attended Spence School and was a graduate of The Hewitt School in New York City. She then attended Bennet College in Millbrook, NY and graduated from King's Hall Compton in Canada. Lynne married Henryk de Kwiatkowski, an Aviation entrepreneur with whom she had six children. She later remarried Maurizio Candotti Russo, vice president of Idelson Gnocchi Publisher Ltd. Lynne was a pillar of New York society and a member of the Metropolitan Club, River Club, Piping Rock, Lyford Cay Club, Quantuck Beach Club, Quogue Field Clubs, and Beach Club in Palm Beach. She was a member of the Golden Ocala Equestrian Club at the time of her death. Lynne had a deep love for horses and a sound knowledge of breeding. Along with her first husband, she bred, purchased and raced some of the best thoroughbred horses in the world. Their achievements include, three Eclipse awards, one of them being for Conquistador Cielo's, horse of the year, two Belmont stakes winners and many other Grade 1 stakes winners. Lynne purchased Danzig, the world's Top Leading Sire for many years. Lynne also advised her first husband to buy Calumet Farms in KY. Lynne remarried Maurizio Candotti Russo in 1990, they lived in New York, Rome, Westhampton Beach, North Caicos and Palm Beach. Then in 1999 they moved to Ocala, where Lynne founded Minerva Stud Farm and dedicated the final years of her life to her husband, children and business. Along with her passion for horse breading, Lynne was a gifted artist, a trait she passed on to her six children. Her love of books and nature enriched her ability to appreciate the spirit of life and has inspired her husband Maurizio with a positive attitude and a renewed faith in God that will last forever. Lynne dek Russo has blessed many souls with her love. She is survived by her husband Maurizio, and her six children: Michelle Corsini, Nicole Timonier, Conrad de Kwiatkowski, Arianne de Kwiatkowski, Stephan de kwiatkowski, and Alexandra "Lulu" Gilardini, and fixteen grandchildren: Stephane, Cosimo, Mariuka, Luia, Lucie, Anya, Anthony, Nikita, Cino, Henryk, Conrad, Lupo, Lily, Matteo and Francesco. To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries