Beatrice (Primiano) Russo
Beatrice Russo
Bristol
unknown - January 27, 2012
Beatrice “Bea” (Primiano) Russo, 97, of 3 Chestnut St., Bristol, and formerly of Barrington, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012. She was the wife of the late Anthony John Russo, who preceded her in death in 1987.
Born and raised in Barrington, she was a daughter of the late Antonio and Elizabeth Ann (Bryden) Primiano. She was a resident of Bristol for most of her life.
Bea was a graduate of Barrington High School, and at her graduation she memorized and delivered her senior essay on African-American poetry. She was a member of the R.I. Honor Society. She continued her education at the R.I. School of Design, where she received a bachelor of arts degree in interior architecture and furniture decoration. She taught tray and furniture decoration in her home studio and at the Providence Handicraft Club. Bea was the winner from Rhode Island for two years for Christmas seal design for the National Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association.
In 1939 she married Anthony J. Russo, a science teacher, and moved to Bristol. She was a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Bristol, where she was a member of the former Ivy Guild, Episcopal Church Women, and the Altar Guild in which she designed many of the altar and church hangings. She was a member of the Leonardo daVinci Lodge, Sons of Italy, the Bristol Interfaith Group, a member of the board of directors for the Bristol House of Aged Women, and a former volunteer at Blithewold Mansion and Gardens.
She is survived by four sons, Carl F. Russo of Bristol, Jere Russo of Bennettsville, S.C., John A. Russo of Charlotte, N.C., and Joel Russo of Cranston; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Annie T. Daniels, and a brother, Wetherell Primiano.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial requiem Eucharist service on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 at 11 a.m. in St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 399 Hope St., Bristol. Burial was private and visiting hours are respectfully omitted.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Church, P.O. Box 414, Bristol, RI 02809.
For online condolence, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com.