Lorraine L Russo, 89 of Holmdel passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loved ones, on Sunday, March 7.

She was born to the late Mary and Frederick Leininger in West New York, NJ on March 26, 1931.

Lorraine graduated from Memorial High School in 1949 and shortly after began to work as a secretary at the Life Insurance Association of America in New York, NY. She met the love of her life, Thomas F. Russo in 1954 and married him 2 years later, starting a family in 1957.

Lorraine was a very devout Catholic. She was a parishioner of St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus in Staten Island, NY for over 47 years. Lorraine was a member of the Mother’s Guild, a Cub Scout den mother and served in the Roses, the Altar Rosary Society at St Teresa. She was a secretary in the library at Moore Catholic High School and retired after a career of 16 years.

She enjoyed dancing, trips to Atlantic City, and preferred spending time around family. Lorraine was very supportive of her husband’s military and civilian careers. Above all, she was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother.

She was at the center of many cherished memories during 30+ years of family vacations in LBI with beach time fun and games like charades and poker.

Always quick to laugh, she ended up in many “I Love Lucy” situations over the years  – we often referred to her as Lucy and yes,  that was her favorite show.

Keeping family traditions alive, Lorraine had a special lasagna recipe passed down from her mother, and a sauerbraten recipe from her father’s side of her family.  She and Tom loved to travel, and enjoyed visiting Alaska, the Panama Canal, and Europe.

She is predeceased by her husband Thomas F.  Russo, Sr., her two sisters Eleanor Leininger and Gloria Hemberger, and her grandson Thomas III.

She is survived by her children Thomas F. Russo Jr., of Monroe Township, Marianne and her husband Scott Murray of Holmdel, Tricia Russo and CJ Laveratt of West Long Branch, and five grandchildren, Nicole, Zac, Allie, Jack, and Jakey.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 15 at St. Catharine’s Church, 108 Middletown Road, Holmdel. Ennichement will follow at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery, 549 County Road 520, Marlboro.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Lorraine’s name be directed to the Hope For Children Foundation at HFCF.org