Obituary of Delia P. Russo

Wife, mother, nonna, sister, a’zi’, friend: Delia P. Russo, 82, was, and always will be, all of these things and so much more to so many people.  She passed away peacefully around 7:00 PM on November 2, 2025, surrounded by her family.

A strong and fearless woman, Delia came to Jersey City when she was just a teenager, leaving her life in Cervinara, Italy to create a better life for herself and the beautiful family she knew she would bring into this world.  Once she was living in the United States she never looked back, except, of course, when she started to date her husband, Antonio Russo.  The two would write to each other while Antonio was still living in Paolisi, Italy, and Delia was already living in New Jersey.  It didn’t take long before Delia returned to Italy to marry Antonio, the start of an incredible 61 years of marriage.  Their partnership was the perfect example of true love, full of unconditional support, devotion, and happiness.  They were truly blessed to have each other, and we are all blessed to have their marriage as an example for us.

Delia and Antonio had their first child, Thomas, in 1966, their second child, Anthony, in 1968, and their third child Steven, in 1971.  Delia and Antonio raised their family together in Jersey City, where they both worked in the garment industry.  Delia was an active parishioner at Saint Nicholas Church, where she was a lector at Italian mass, made zeppoli at the annual school bazaar, and dressed up as Santa Clause at the church’s annual Christmas parties.  She was also the President of the Mother Cabrini society.   She was an amazing cook, and her family especially loved her braciole, baked ziti, fried eggplant, potato croquettes, and chicken cutlets.

Her joy was infectious. If she wasn’t singing with her family or cooking, she might be telling a joke to the waiter at a restaurant or someone just walking by on the street.  Everyone always loved to be around her, and she loved making people laugh and smile. 

Always putting family first, Delia and Antonio moved to Freehold, New Jersey in 1997 before the birth of their first grandchild. They were blessed with eight grandchildren: Jessica, Julia, Anthony, Delia, Jaclyn, Christopher, Gianna, and Matthew.  While living in Freehold, Delia was a member of the Silvermead community where she enjoyed playing bocce, going to clubhouse parties, and doing alterations for people.

Delia and Antonio were able to spend nearly every day with their grandchildren as they grew up.  Even as everyone got older, Delia and her family always loved to reminisce and joke about the fun times that they shared during those years, whether it be Nonna teaching everyone how to cook, teaching words in Italian and Napoletano, or chasing everyone around the house with the wooden spoon.  While thankfully the wooden spoon chases eventually stopped, many of these traditions continued even after her grandchildren started to go to college.  When it was Christmas time, they would all come to Nonna’s house to make struffoli, nocche’, and babà together.  These memories will live with her family forever.

All of Delia’s children and grandchildren carry a piece of her with them wherever they go, because she molded them into the people they are.  The number of lives she touched, and will continue to touch, cannot be counted. 

Delia was predeceased by her mother, (Giuseppina Casale), her father (Stefano Casale), her sisters (Anna, Carmela, Yolanda, Giuseppina, and Frankie), and her grandson (Christopher Russo).  She is survived by her loving husband (Antonio Russo), her sisters (Nancy, Pasqualina, and Maria), her sons and daughters-in-law (Thomas and his wife Anne; Anthony; and Steven and his wife Frances), and her grandchildren (Jessica, Julia, Anthony, Delia, Jaclyn, Gianna, and Matthew).

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her 10:30 AM Funeral Mass on Friday, November 7, 2025 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. In lieu of flowers, donations in Delia’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105. For information, directions or to leave condolences, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com .