Wanda Jo Russo

March 18, 1944 - February 9, 2022

With sadness, love and profound gratitude, the family of Wanda Jo Russo announces her passing on February 9, 2022 in her home. She was born March 18, 1944 in San Francisco, California to Glena Fay Crawford, and was the third of six children. She married Jim Russo on February 22, 1981 in Santa Cruz, California, and they celebrated 40 years of marriage last year. Wanda grew up in San Mateo, California and started working as a hat check girl at California Golf Club in South San Francisco when she was in high school. She graduated from San Mateo High School and later moved to Fremont, California with her first husband, where her daughters, Julie and Laura, were born. Her retail career began at King Norman’s Kingdom of Toys, which is where she first met her husband, Jim. What began as a part-time seasonal position turned into a successful 30+ year career in retail management, due to her excellent work ethic, dedication and leadership skills. She worked her way up to the position of General Manager of Norman’s small chain of 17 stores, then spent the next 15 years working for Dollar Tree Stores where she held several positions in upper management, and retired in 2009. Wanda enjoyed many interests over the years. She has always been an avid reader and history buff, and could often be found with either a book or crossword puzzle in her hand. One of her favorite shows to watch was Jeopardy, and she would always say she “earned her college degree” from watching it daily. She enjoyed sewing, painting, teaching herself how to play the piano and most recently discovered a passion for genealogy. Being the social and hospitable person she was, she hosted many parties and gatherings over the years, and enjoyed organizing an annual Christmas stroll with her neighbors. One of her lifelong hobbies was decorating her home, which included a room dedicated solely to her favorite decade - the 1950s. Anyone who knew Wanda knew her love for Elvis Presley that dated as far back as her early teen years when she saw him in concert. She even made a trip with Jim in recent years to Graceland - her dream. Yearning to see more of the world, Wanda and Jim spent many years traveling to numerous places including England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Spain, the Dominican Republic, Switzerland, Canada, Hawaii and enjoyed many cruises. Her greatest joy, though, was spending time and creating memories with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Jim of St George, Utah; children, Julie Joyce of Fremont, California and Laura Bautista (Esteban) of St. George from her first marriage to Thomas John Joyce III; step-children, Rob Russo of Great Falls, Montana, and Pam Simons of Danville, Virginia; grandchildren Brianna Gamble (Justin) of Fairfield, California, John Guzman (Haley) of Lathrop, California, and Bronte Joyce of Vacaville, California; great grandchildren Bentley, Chloe and Camryn; sister, Joyce Sprague of Fremont, California; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her brothers, Fred Barnum of Phoenix, Arizona and Ed Bartholomew of Oregon; sisters Nadine Bible of Oregon and Kerry DiLeonardo-Parker of San Jose, California. Graveside services will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California. A Celebration of Life will be held in St. George, Utah at a later date. The family would like to thank Carlie Wardell, Bob and Sharon Cornett, John and Mary Aspenwall, Jack and Marilyn Morgan, Jeff and Marlene Bacon, Gene and Carol Champneys, longtime family friend, Dom Mirenzi, Dr. Parkinson, Dr. Kline, St. George Police Department, first responders and Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah. Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at www.SerenityStG.com. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah.