Saratoga Springs - Helen E. Russo passed into eternal life on Thursday (Feb. 12, 2009) after a long illness. Born in Lansing in 1925, she was the youngest of eight children of the late Garbor and Rosa Varga, who immigrated from Hungary in the early 20th century. Along with four sisters, they were known as the "Varga Girls". Helen loved caring for the home, cooking, sewing, knitting and many other crafts. Her family will always remember the Hungarian specialties she loved to prepare. She had a deep love for all her family and cared for the poor and needy around her. She was the beloved wife of the late Peter A. Russo and predeceased by three brothers, Steve, Garbor and Joseph Varga and two sisters, Mary Varga and Ann Kozacka. Survivors include her children, Patricia (Pasquale) Cinelli of Albany, Rev. Peter D. Russo of Scotia, Michael (Fiorella) Russo of Saratoga Springs, Thomas P. (Evelyn) Russo of Coxsackie and Richard A. (Suzanne) Russo of Melborne, FL; her two sisters, Rosa Crass and Margaret Ruane of Ithaca, NY; eleven grandchildren, Lisa M. Cinelli-Thorne, Dr. Scott M. Cinelli, Kristie M. Cinelli, Michael Russo, Adam Russo, Thomas (Agenta) Russo, Tara Russo, Peter Russo, Jacqueline Miller, Jeremy Miller and Jessica Brown; one great-grandchild, Joseph Tyler Thorne and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call from 5 to 8pm Friday at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12noon Saturday in St. Clement's Roman Catholic Church, 231 Lake Ave. Burial will be at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville. Memorials may be made in her name to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY 12203 or to the Renovation Fund of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 125 Eagle St., Albany, NY 12202.