Obituary of Antonietta Russo

Antonietta Russo passed away on May 26, 2026. Antonietta was the youngest of four children. Her father was a carabiniere (paramilitary police) in the Kingdom of Italy before and during WW I. Sadly, he passed away of natural causes when Antonietta was just three months old. She and her older siblings and a young, widowed mother, tended to the small family estate that belonged to her maternal grandfather until she married Archimede (Archie) Russo soon after WW II. A few years after marriage, she emigrated to the Belmont section of the Bronx (Little Italy) with her young son, Armando, to rejoin her husband. As was common at that time, Archie had emigrated earlier. He was a master tailor and had secured work in NYC At that time, Antonietta only had a few maternal uncles in America but no other relatives. Her first years were very difficult in a new culture not knowing English. Therefore, she was dependent on many kind-hearted neighbors to help her navigate through daily life while her husband Archie was at work during the day. She was a devoted wife and kept the household running like a chronometer. She was mother to her two children, Dr. Armando and Sandra. She was intensely devoted to her family. Archie had a successful career retiring from the NYC fashion District. Among his list of accomplishments was the honor of being the dressmaker to several first ladies – from Jackie Kennedy to Barbara Bush. A few years later, Antonietta and Archie moved to Vineland where they enjoyed life together until Archie's death in 2010. Eight years later, Antonietta moved back to NY to be near her daughter, Sandra. During all this time, Antonietta was completely independent. Then, COVID struck and it resulted in cognitive decline. So, she came back to Vineland in January of 2024 and acclimated to her new life in assisted living. Unfortunately, earlier this year she had a heart issue and required hospitalization. This event weakened her to the point of no longer being able to care for herself. She spent the last few weeks of her 99 years, 8 months and 14 days in long term care. She kept telling us how grateful she was to all her caregivers. She will be missed by all that knew her. In addition to her parents and her husband Archie, preceding her in death, were all three of her older siblings, Diletta Capraro, Vincenzo Capraro and Erminia Capraro (Enzo D'Agostino). She is survived by her loving children - son, Dr. Armando Russo (Patricia Silver Russo) and Sandra Russo Monteleone (Louis Monteleone). Her grandchildren, Michael Russo (Erin Sullivan) and their two children Madelyn and Henry, and daughter, Erica Russo McKenna (Dan McKenna) and their two children, Finnegan and Antoinette (aka Annie Mae), Mariel Monteleone Ragon (Evan Ragon) and daughter Liliana in addition to several nieces and nephews throughout Italy. A funeral home visitation will be held on Friday evening, May 29th from 5pm to 7pm at Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ and at the church on Saturday morning, May 30th from 9:15am to 10:15am followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 am from Our Lady Of The Blessed Sacrament - Church Of St. Michael, 504 West Avenue, Minotola. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineland. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com