Mary Jean “Jeanie” Bishop Russo of Northford passed away on Thursday January 5, 2017 with her family by her side. She was born in New Haven; daughter of the late George F. and Mary B. Trant Bishop; Mary Jean worked as a supervisor for Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 32 years until her retirement; was an avid traveler to Europe, Florida, the Caribbean and especially Saratoga Springs for the horse races and also enjoyed the theater with her friends. Mother of Matthew (fiancé Lida Strong) Russo. Step Mother of Adrienne (Eric) Urpin. Sister of George (Pama) Bishop, Joan (Mario) Forte and the late Sharyn Bishop. Aunt of Kristina (Christopher) Wyatt and Victoria (Anthony) DeCristofaro. Predeceased by her longtime companion John “Jack” Variest and father to her son Daniel “Danny” Russo.
Her funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home 36, Washington Avenue, Saturday at 9:30. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Therese Church at 10:00. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Friday from 5 to 7 pm.
I want to wish the family especially Matt my deepest sympathies. Heaven has a new angel now.
I want to send my deepest sympathies to the family especially Matt. Heaven has a new angel now.
My Aunt Jean was such a wonderful and loving Aunt to me. I miss her dearly and pray for those she has left behind.
Momma,
You were the only one whoever understood me, who constantly challenged me to be a better man and a better person. The only one who never gave up on me and supported me one hundred percent thru all my faults and flaws, to all my accomplishments and success, however minimal or monumental. The one who encouraged me to follow my dreams, yet still kept me focused on a practical and rewarding path that would allow me to blossom thru any course of my life, never steering me in anything but the right direction. The one who, no matter what kind of scary problem or worrisome dilemma I encountered in my life I could always turn to, to help me find an impossible solution, eliminating the fear and pain in a world that can sometimes be so cruel, comforting and reassuring me that there was always a way to make the right decision. In other words, the one who could always make things better. The one who always told me, no matter how hard or bad things got, that everything is temporary and it will all get better and things will work out for the best and come together. The only one who was on my side and in my corner, routing for me the entire way, who never stopped believing in me, devoted unconditionally with love, care and trust and gave me the confidence to become anything I wanted to be. The only one who always bragged about me to anyone who would listen. The one who always kept me in her thoughts, regardless of the time of day or situation, making sacrifice after sacrifice to always ensure my happiness over her own. The one who always put my butt in check, if I ever dared to be rude or disrespectful by influencing me with morals, ethics and manners, shaping me into a man with principles and standards, so she was always proud of me. The one who always lifted my spirits and repeatedly put me before herself and had me overlooking the world on a pedestal of love. The one who never stopped telling me how much she loved me. The only one, I know who loved me so much more than any person ever will, realizing that I will never be loved with such faith, understanding and sincerity again. It hurts so much to know, until the day I die The ONLY ONE, that TRULY TRULY LOVED ME FOR ME is gone. I lost the biggest part of my heart today and my life and my world will never ever be the same without her. My mom, the one who blessed me with this precious thing we called life, ultimately has succumb to her illness and has left myself and my world darker and disheartened. She was the light of my life, the lady of my life and the love of my life and all of the time, tears and therapy in the world will never aleviate the agonizing pain that I will experience for the rest of my existence that remains on this earth. I am suffering and all I feel is pain. I have never felt so hurt and alone. I want her back so badly. God please take this pain away and grant me strength. I don’t know what i am going to do without her.
So sorry to hear of Jeanie’s death. She was a beautiful woman.
Sincerely, Joan Murphy (widow of Jack Murphy, her cousin)
I will always love you aunt Jean, I will treasure our memories, I will never forget how much I enjoyed working all the blue cross parties with you. Your ability to socialize and engage in conversation with everyone was a gift you had, that I learned from you. The most important people at the party were drawn to you like a magnet, while we were working you’d bring me around to the “big wigs
I will always love you aunt Jean, I will treasure my memories with you. So many wonderful vacation memories and childhood memories.
I loved when you brought me on your team, catering all the blue cross Christmas parties and events with you. You would walk me around introducing me to all the big shots of the company while we were working. I felt like you were so proud to tell them that I was you niece. Your ability to converse and interact with anyone was a gift that I learned from you. Busy, important people at the party were drawn to you and your smile like a magnet. You loved to laugh and always had a zest for the good life, until your final several years when you fought and struggled far more that I knew. You are at peace now and with your guys and your old best friend/sister in law(my mother) please hug and kiss her for me. I can’t wait to do that, when I get there. I hope that’s how it really is there.
Your were a damn good mother, aunt, sister and daughter to your mom and my gramma.
You will never be replaced!
Matthew I love you and I’ll always be here for you.
No matter what.
I am so sorry for your loss. Jeannie was a sweet and loving person
Our deepest condolences, Jeannie was always a sweet and kind Lady. She will be missed.
Jean, I guess you will be very missed. I know my old friend was sweet as could be. We hung out in the 70,s. Gone to soon, always an angel!
So sorry to hear the loss of Jeanie. she was the sweetest and kindest person ever! Was always in a happy mood. I worked at Anthem Blue Cross and knew Jeanie for so many years. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very sad time.
God took you home too soon, Jean, and you will be deeply missed by everyone who ever was fortunate enough to know you. From the first time we met I was drawn in by your sparkling eyes, infections laughter, strength and unshakable love for your son. I will forever be grateful to have spent time with you. My deepest condolences to your beloved son, Matt. My prayers will continue to be with you both.
To jeanies family my deepest sympathies.I was the little girl who lived upstairs from her family on Lombard st. New Haven..again so sorry for your loss.
Our prayers and best wishes during this time of your loss, Joan, Marty and especially Matthew. I’m glad I had the opportunity to know her. Enjoyed many interesting “talks” about mutual acquaintances. Matthew was definitely “her world”. May she rest in peace.
Dear Matt, I know that your mother is looking down at you with love and pride. I hope that god gives you the strength to go on. Keep her memories alive and she will always be with you. All my love and prayers
Our hearts are broken after reading the loss of Jeanie. Our hope is that your sweet memories will lessen the bitterness of your pain. And when you think of Jeanie, we hope the day will soon come when thoughts of beautiful Jeanie brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye.
I am so sorry to learn of Jeanie’s passing. I knew
Her from Fair Haven and remember her kindness. My deepest condolences to her family!
A special lady with a contagious smile will surely be missed by many. We will remember her and her family in our hearts and prayers.
Jeanie what a wonderful woman with a great laugh and always a smile and kind words with a welcoming heart. You will be missed.
Sending our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to Jeanie’s family & friends. May you find peace & strength in the memories you hold so very close to your heart.
My heart is broken over loosing my good friend
My Beloved Jeanie, I love you more!!!! I will miss you for the rest of my life! My world will never be the same without you. I am so thankful my Daddy brought you into my life and made us family & friends. I will forever miss our long talks, holidays, vacations & time spent together. I am so thankful for all the years we had together & having you as someone I could always confide in, talk to and share anything with. I pray you are in a better place with my Daddy and the rest of your loved ones in heaven at peace. Eric and I will always cherish all the special times the four of us spent together and the three of us over the past several years. Our family just got smaller & we lost a huge part of our world. Matt, our hearts go out to you & we are here for you & love you.
My deepest condolences to Jeannie’s family and friends. Sending peace and prayers.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Jeannie’s family at this difficult time . I’m so sorry for your loss . Jeannie is such a beautiful person inside and out . Always had a smile for everyone . I worked with her for years at Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in North Haven . She was aleays there to make sure everything went as smooth as possible . She will be missed by many .