Filomena "Phyllis" (Passaretti) Russillo

87, of South Kingstown, formerly of Johnston passed away peacefully on October 26, 2021, with her loving daughters by her side. She was the wife of the late Gennaro L. Russillo, Sr.
Born in Providence, she was a daughter of the late Vincent and Rose (DiDonato) Passaretti.
Filomena worked for the State of Rhode Island for over 21 years, retiring from Rhode Island College in 1997
Filomena loved the beach, especially Narragansett Town Beach, where she spent many summers there as a child with her family. After her retirement, any summer day you could find her at chair 3, enjoying the ocean, sand and people. Her passion was feeding people. She was an excellent cook and loved cooking for her family and friends, as well as, any neighborhood children. Known for her meatballs and pizza, no one ever left her house hungry. For more than 20 years she helped her daughter with her home daycare where she was affectionately known as “Gramma Phyllis”.
She was a communicant of Our Lady of Grace Church, one of her wishes was to be entered into the memorial society there.
She leaves two daughters, Geraldine Russillo of Cranston and Phyllis Neilsen and her husband John of South Kingstown; her sister, Sue Merolla of Florida; three grandchildren, John Neilsen, Jr., Nicholas Neilsen and Lauren Neilsen; and many nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Gennaro L. “Jerry” Russillo, Jr.; and was sister of the late John, Henry, Victor and Vincent Passaretti.
Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 8:45am from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in Our Lady of Grace Church, George Waterman Road, Johnston. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston. VISITING HOURS Monday from 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Our Lady of Grace Church Memorial Society.