Betty-Mae Russo passed away on February 23, 2026, from Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born on April 16, 1941, in Boston, MA. She was the oldest child of the late Rosario and Maria (Mary) Vincenza (Giampa) Arigo. Betty-Mae was raised in Revere, MA and graduated from Revere High School in 1959 as class Orator. She then attended Salem State College.

In 1962 she married the late Raymond Russo and they moved to Milton, NH to embark on their new career. For 25 years, they owned and operated Russo’s Italian American Restaurant, where they had many great employees who became lifelong friends.

Following the restaurant business, Betty-Mae became active in the local schools. She started as a substitute teacher in the Milton and Rochester school systems then became a secretary at Spaulding Jr. High School and Maple Street School.

Betty-Mae was an inspiration to many when she changed careers and became a flight attendant at 55 years old. She worked for Business Express Airways for 5 years, USAir/American Airlines for 20 years and finally retired at the age of 80. While at the airlines she made many lifelong friends who were by her side until the end.

Family, faith and education were first and foremost in her life. Betty-Mae was devoted to her family and took great joy in being present for every moment. She never missed her daughters’ and grandsons’ sporting events, award ceremonies or graduations. She was always loud and proud and cheered them on from the sidelines. She enjoyed nothing more than Sunday Italian dinners with her family.

Betty-Mae had a love for travel. She often enjoyed European cruises with her family, mother daughter trips and vacations with friends. She never turned down an invitation to socialize! She was an avid Red Sox fan and visited many stadiums across the country to see them play. Betty-Mae had a great love of spending time in the sun by the water, enjoying boat rides around the lake, and walking on the beach.

She was a lifelong member of the Sons of Italy, lecturer, Eucharistic Minister, and Director of Religious Education for Sacred Heart Church in Milton. She was also the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment for many years. Betty-Mae was very loyal to her community over the years as a member of many local clubs and hosted many spaghetti suppers for various fundraisers. She lived her life with kindness, generosity, and compassion for others.

Betty-Mae called the Reflections Neighborhood at the Residence at Silver Square home for the last two years. The amazing and compassionate staff and residents truly became her family. The mutual love between them was so evident, especially during her final days. The family is profoundly grateful for the care and kindness they received and extends heartfelt thanks to Constellation Hospice for their dedicated support.

She is survived by her daughters, Stacie Russo (Sun Kay) Chu of Dover and Shawna Russo (Jim) Baffone of Ohio and Nevada. Four grandsons, Garrett and Gavin Chu of Dover, NH and Ryan (Anissa) and Brandon (Jaimee) Slover Baffone of Ohio. One great granddaughter Aaliyah and one great grandson Xander, and another great grandchild expected soon all of Ohio. Two sisters, Mary-Ellen Arigo (Richard Barnet) of New Durham, NH and Marlene (Brian) Spatola of Melbourne, FL. Many cousins, nieces and nephews whom she shared a close and loving bond.

She is predeceased by her parents, husband Ray, brother James, sister- in -law Anita, brother- in -law Anthony Russo, Brother-in-law Charles and sister-in law June Russo and brother- in-law Louis Russo Jr. Nephews James Arigo and Christopher McGlaughlin, nieces Jean Russo Parks and Marie (Russo) Dion.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Residence at Silver Square’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Click here to donate

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm and Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from 9:00am - 10:30am, at Peaslee Funeral Home, 24 Central Street, Farmington, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 11:30am at St. Mary's Chuch, 71 Lowell Street in Rochester, NH, with Fr. Thomas Duston, pastor as celebrant. Interment will be held in the Spring at Milton Mills Cemetery in Milton Mills, NH.