Ruth E. (Russell) Lanza

Ruth E. (Russell) Lanza, 85, died Saturday, November 5, 2022, surrounded by her beloved children at the home of her daughter Elaine, in Pennsylvania, after a period of declining health. Born and raised in Boston’s South End to Ruth C. (Nazer) and James F. Russell, she was a graduate of Cathedral High School in the South End. Shortly after graduation, she met Anthony Lanza and on her 21^st birthday and they married at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the South End. In 1958, they moved to Stoughton, and together they raised their 5 children. Ruth and Tony enjoyed over 59 years of marriage before his death in 2017, at which point she moved to Pennsylvania with her daughter Elaine. Ruth worked at the Goddard Memorial Hospital in Stoughton, and then Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton for over 20 years as the Maternity Ward Secretary, retiring at age 62. While raising her children, she also worked as a Teacher’s Aide at the Stoughton Jr. High School for several years. She was a former CCD Teacher at the Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Stoughton and enjoyed doing the daily crossword puzzle and Wordle. Ruth was a dedicated and loving mother and “Nana Ruth” who enjoyed cooking and gardening, and loved being surrounded by her beloved family, especially during the Christmas season.

 

Ruth is survived by her children, Catherine M. Welch and her husband Robert of N. Easton, Anthony J. Lanza and his wife Kathy of Beverly, Michael J. Lanza and his wife Elaine of Bridgewater, Nancy A. Welch and her companion Brian Cornellier of Tyngsboro and Elaine M. Gorman and her husband Joseph of PA. She was the sister of Patricia A. Russell of Hull, James Russell of Kingston and the late Sheila A. Russell. She was the beloved “Nana Ruth” of 8 and is also survived by 3 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

 

Funeral will be held from the Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park St. (Rt. 27) Stoughton on Saturday, November 12 at 8 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Church at 9 AM. Visiting Hours Friday from 4-7 PM. Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Stoughton. Donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to the Stoughton Food Bank, PO Box 757, Stoughton, MA 02072.