Mary Louise Russo

Mary Louise Russo was born November 16, 1933, in Monroe, LA, and passed away peacefully at her home of the last 7 years, St. Joseph’s Assisted Living on November 9, 2022.

Mary graduated from St. Matthews Catholic School where she met and married the love of her life, Leonard J. Russo. They married in June 1954 and started their family. In 1974, the family moved to Ruston where Mary and Leonard were active members of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Mary stayed active in her Ruston Garden Club, Women’s Guild and she also volunteered for hospice after the death of her beloved husband.

In her later years, her most enjoyable times were visiting with her daughters and grandchildren, and most of all, watching her great grandchildren playing. She loved entertaining her sitters and friends with her contagious sense of humor.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Joseph Russo; her parents, Anthony and Ann Varino; her brother, Andy Varino; son-in-law, Albert E. Loomis; and husband of one of her granddaughters, Micah Barham.

She is survived by her daughters, Marianne Russo, Jan Miller (Randal), Joy Loomis and Tiphanie Maxwell (John); ten grandchildren, Dr. Chris Candella (Tracy) of Granbury, TX, Chad Candella (Heather) of West Monroe, LA, Matthew Candella (Alexis) of Granbury, TX, Edward Loomis (Mae) of Knoxville, TN, Alex Barham of Oakridge, LA, Anna Rainey (Becky) of Denver, CO, Mary Natalie Di Pasquale of New Orleans, LA, Johnny Maxwell of Ruston, LA, Mary Kathryn Maxwell of Ruston, LA, and Anderson Maxwell of Ruston, LA; eleven great grandchildren; her siblings, Bea Lynch of Louisville, KY, Pauline Pendola of Monroe, LA, and Frank Varino (Teddy) of Monroe, LA; sister-in-law, Janice Varino of Monroe, LA; and much loved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mary and her family are eternally grateful for her St. Joseph Assisted Living family that cared for her the last 7 years, Elara Caring Hospice for all their loving care, and all her sitters that treated her as family.

A private graveside service with immediate family will be held in Kilpatrick Memorial Gardens in Ruston, LA, with Deacon Scott Brandle officiating.