Methuen, MA – Angela B. (Orlando) Russotto, 83 yrs. died June 3 at her home surrounded by family.
She was born June 11, 1928 in Providence, Rhode Island the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Carlucci) Orlando. Angela moved to Methuen as a child, where she resided for her entire life. She was educated in the Methuen School system and was a graduate of the former Lowell State Teaches College where she received her BA in music. Upon graduation she became a teacher in Methuen and taught 5th grade at the Ashford school for more than 40 years before her retirement.
Survivors include her husband of 59 years Luigi Russotto, her daughter Dianne R. and her husband Frank Luistro of Methuen and Naples FL, one brother Joseph and his wife Aileen Orlando of Waltham, one sister Emilie and her husband Francis Collopy, of Seabrook NH and The Villages FL, two brother-in-laws and their wives Sam Caliento and his wife Mirinda of No. Andover, and Michael Russotto and his wife Roseanne of Salt Lake City UT, two step grandchildren Carrie Ann and her husband Christopher O’Donnell of Newburyport, and Christopher and his wife Julie Luistro of No Attleboro, 5 great grandchildren, beloved nieces and nephews, and many cousins and her special niece Maura Collopy, who was her neighbor, caretaker and companion.
For 48 years Angela volunteered her time as the organist, music director and communicant at St. Lucy’s Church in Methuen and was head of the CCD program for many years. Her involvement with St. Lucy’s Church goes back to 1942 before St. Lucy’s was built. Angela would bring her portable organ and play at the small chapel until the current St. Lucy’s Church was built in 1958. She directed the Ashford Glee Club recitals during her teaching career and enjoyed talking sports with her students as she loved the Red Sox and Patriots. She took pride in seeing and talking with many of her former students who she would see in the Methuen area. Angela was very active in Methuen politics as she was a fixture at the voting table on Election Day. She took great joy showing family and friends her flower and vegetable gardens.
Misty, Dianne’s rescued Cairn terrier provided Angela with great comfort during her illness. Angela made many donations to Cairn Rescue League for which her daughter volunteers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cairn Rescue League at www.cairnrescueleague.com or by mail to, Kelly Mullally, Cairn Rescue League, 4507 Sangamore Rd. #101, Bethesda, MD, 20816, or Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation at www.lustgarden.org. or by mail to, The Lustgarden Foundation, 1111 Stewart Ave, Bethpage NY 11714.
A Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock in Saint Lucy's Church in Methuen.
Friends will be warmly received on Friday from 4-8 p.m. at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home 233 Lawrence Street of Methuen.
Family and friends who plan on attending the funeral are requested to meet at St. Lucy’s for the service.
For directions and to send online condolences please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com