Elvira “Vera” Russillo, 75, of Nardolillo Street, Johnston, died on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at Miriam Hospital in Providence after a brief illness. She was the widow of John “Stevie” “Brother” Russillo.
Born in Providence, she came from a large family of brothers and sisters. She most recently lived in Johnston. She had previously lived in Providence.
Elvira, or better known as “Chatch” worked in the jewelry industry for many years before retiring to take care of her grandchildren. She adored them and spoiled them from the day they were born.
She is survived by her loving son: Steven Russillo and his wife, Elizabeth. Her loving daughter, Donna Gentile and her surviving siblings: Richard Assanti, Toni Scopelliti, Rose Nardozzio and Angelo Assanti. She was the beloved grandmother of Gabriella and Brooklyn Russillo. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews and close friends.
Elvira’s passions included cooking, cleaning, shopping, visiting her friends and spending time with her grandchildren. She was well known for her kindness and generosity and would always be the one to count on to do anything for anyone. She always wanted to make sure that everybody else was happy and never put herself first. Elvira cherished her grandchildren and they were the two biggest loves of her life. From the time they were 3 months old, she was their caretaker and raised them while their parents were at work. She would call them daily once they got older and was always there to take them shopping and out to eat. She thoroughly enjoyed having them sleep over at her apartment so she could feed them and spoil them with all the snacks in the world. Grammy will be sorely missed by them and by everyone in her family. She also was very close to her son who called her multiple times a day just to have small talk. She would always worry if he had enough food and was always willing to cook or bring food over. Vera did not like to stay home much and she thoroughly enjoyed going out with her daughter Donna to shop or go out for lunch or dinner with her friends and family.
Vera was always worried that everyone had enough to eat. It was usually the first topic of conversation. She was known to cook delicious meals and loved to feed everyone. She would make food and deliver it to family members and friends on a weekly basis. She would always make enough food to last for days. Her personality and smile was infectious and she was always happy and a joy to be around. She loved to make people laugh and tell funny stories but most of all she always put the needs of others first. She would never say no to anybody. Vera would drive all over town taking her friends to different places and appointments and was always doing favors and errands for everyone. She would talk to anyone that would listen and loved to have conversations with strangers no matter where she went. Vera was such a genuine and caring person who loved her family and friends so much and she defined what it is to be a great human being and a good person. She lived life to the fullest and she was the greatest role model for her children and grandchildren. She will be tremendously missed by all.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday at 9:30am in St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 1804 Atwood Avenue, Johnston. Burial will be private. Visitation is omitted. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the RISPCA, 186 Amaral St, Riverside, RI 02915
RISPCA