Anita (Piraino) LaRussa

Anita (Piraino) LaRussa, 96 years, a resident of Elan Gardens, Clarks Summit, PA, died on the evening of September 4th at Elan Skilled Nursing in Scranton, PA. She was the widow of Dominick A. LaRussa, who died October 19, 1988.

Born March 27, 1929, in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Loretta (Schiappa) Piraino. She graduated from Scranton Technical High school in 1948. She was a seamstress in the local garment industry and additionally was a member of the ILGWU.  She was a wonderful dancer and met her husband and soul mate at a dance hall.

Anita was a faithful member of St. Lucy’s Parish in Scranton where she enjoyed attending the Charismatic Conferences and volunteering for the spaghetti suppers. She was also a member of the St. Lucy Altar & Rosary Society.  Her faith was an important part of her life. She constantly had the Catholic mass on her television, loved Mother Teresa, and attending St. Ann’s Novenas. You could always find a rosary in her hands saying a prayer for someone.

She was a member of the West Side Senior Center and volunteered there working at the desk welcoming people for lunch. She was a member of the Young at Heart Singers and traveled to places to brighten up others’ days. She loved going on bus rides to the casinos. She also kept busy sewing, crocheting, doing puzzles, and cooking. Anita moved into Elan Gardens in August 2019 and soon became the “go to” there for the “Kings in the Corner” card game. She loved spending time with family and friends and looked forward to visits from them at Elan. 

Surviving are two daughters, Luann Lehnert and husband Charles of Siesta Key, FL, and Paula Bugno and husband Edward of Clarks Summit; two sisters, Roseann Zaleski of Scranton, and Jean Downey and husband Arthur, also of Scranton; a brother, Francis Piraino of Pocono Summit, PA; grandchildren, Charles Lehnert and wife Jenny, and their daughter Nora Michelle who was Anita’s first great-grandchild, Keith Lehnert and wife Paige, Jessica Draper and husband Lee, and Jason Bugno.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, September 11th at 10 a.m. in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 1605 Oram Street, Scranton.  Interment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery, 1708 Oram Street, Scranton. 

Viewing will be held at the chapel from 9 a.m. until the time of mass. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Anita’s memory can be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation via their website at www.t2t.org or mailing address at 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.

Savino Traditional Funerals and Cremation Care is honored to serve Anita and her family.