Jean Reap Russo

Jean Reap Russo, 101 ½ passed away on Friday, October 7, 2022, at Duncaster in Bloomfield, where she spent her final 10 years. Born on February 13, 1921, in Dunmore, PA to the late Gerald W. and Frances E. (Dacey) Schlesinger. After graduating from Dunmore High School, she attended Scranton-Lackawanna Business College and relocated with her family to Hartford, where she worked for Aetna. She married her high school sweetheart, Donald J. Reap in 1947 and lived in New York City for many years. Jean loved the City and took advantage of everything it had to offer. She and Don also did extensive traveling throughout North America and Europe. Later they moved to Merryall, CT where she found she was really a country girl at heart. They bought pre-revolutionary war home, at the top of a hill, which she filled with antiques and surrounded with beautiful gardens. She thoroughly enjoyed the nearby landscapes, her neighborhood friends, sporty cars, and of course her dogs. Years after Don passed away Jean moved to “the big house on the hill” at Balbrae Condominiums in Bloomfield, another beautiful location that she personalized with lovely gardens. In 1994, she married Patrick Russo, and they spent time between Fort Myers and Bloomfield. Patrick passed away in 1999. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Sister M. Francetta, IHM (Sister Peg) and her three brothers and sisters-in-law: Bernie & Mary, Jerry & Bernice, and Bob & Irene. Jean had several nieces and nephews that she loved as her own: Kathy (Mike) Regina, Susan Grasso, Jean Jackson, TJ (Laurel) Schlesinger, Laura Thomas, Barb Schlesinger, and nieces by marriage, Sandy Schlesinger, and Gail Schlesinger. She was predeceased by her niece Linda Charland, and nephews Jerry Schlesinger, Michael Schlesinger and Bob Schlesinger as well as her stepson Patrick Russo. Jean cherished and enjoyed two additional generations of great nieces and nephews. Jean was a beautiful, kind, and caring person who was loved by all that knew her. Her family would like to thank the entire staff at Dogwood who made her final years so comfortable. Services for Jean will be on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at the Church of St. Timothy, 1116 N. Main St., West Hartford, CT 06117. The family will receive friends starting at 9 am and the Mass of Christina Burial will begin at 10 am. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the following organizations, both dear to Jean: IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509 or Merryall Chapel c/o Duane Stone, 19 Chapel Hill Rd., New Milford, CT 06776. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com