Worcester – Beth Anne (Hughes) Russo, of Worcester, passed unexpectedly Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012 at University of Massachusetts Medical Center, with her husband Greg by her side. She was 35.
Beth Anne lived her life to the fullest. She faced her many medical challenges throughout the course of her life with strength and grace. She was able to overcome these many medical setbacks until this most recent and unexpected sickness. As sad as her death is to family and friends, there is comfort knowing she is with God and free from the maladies she encountered in her short 35 years.
She was born June 29, 1977 in Framingham. A daughter of David and Wendy (Bourne) Hughes, she grew up in Hudson and graduated from Nashoba Regional High School, class of 1995. She attended Messiah College, Worcester State University, and Atlantic Union College. She met Greg Russo and they later married July 21, 2001 at New Hope Chapel in Westborough.
Beth Anne loved life and embraced so many different things. She had a passion and talent for music. She sang and played guitar, piano, and saxophone. Like many musicians, she, too, felt that when words fail, music speaks. She wrote many of her own songs. Other interests included crafts, knitting, and animals, especially her much-loved labrador, Harley.
Her faith in God and connection to the church were a strong foundation for Beth Anne. She was a longtime member of New Hope Chapel in Westborough. She most recently attended Liberty Church in Shrewsbury, which she loved. She was a member of CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association) with Greg.
She is survived by her husband, Greg J. Russo; at home; her step-daughter, Jocelyn Russo; her parents, David and Wendy Hughes of Framingham; her siblings, Jonathan Hughes and his wife, Maeghan, of North Chelmsford and Rebekah (Hughes) McGowan and her husband, William, of Merrimac; her grandparents, Donald R. and Phyllis J. (Fish) Hughes, of North Andover; A. Joy Bourne of Danville, New Hampshire; her mother-in-law, Natalie C. (Pistorio) Russo of Westwood; her sister-in-law, Jennifer Pouliot and her husband, Jeffrey, of Brookline, New Hampshire; and her nieces and nephews, Joseph and Hanya Hughes, Lucas McGowan, Matthew and Olivia Pouliot.
Family and friends will honor and remember Beth Anne's life at calling hours Friday, Jan. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Heald and Chiampa Funeral Directors – The Sumner House, 5 Church Rd., On the Common, Shrewsbury Center. Her Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, Jan. 5, at 11:00 a.m., at Liberty Church, 495 Hartford Turnpike (Route 20) Shrewsbury. Pastor Brian Young will officiate. Burial will be private.
For those who are able, as a way to celebrate Beth Anne's life, Greg is encouraging those attending the calling hours and service to wear a splash of color. We all grieve over the loss of Beth Anne here on earth, but rejoice with her that she is with Jesus, the greatest love of her life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Children's Hospital Boston through Beth Anne's Memorial page which is being created.
