Helen R. Russo, age 79 of Fairfield, passed peacefully on Sunday, December 30, 2012, in Norwalk Hospital.  Helen was born in Randleman, North Carolina and was Valedictorian of the Class of 1951 at Randleman High School. After high school she worked at B. B. Walker Shoe Company and as an executive secretary at General Electric in North Carolina until moving to Connecticut in 1962.  She continued her career with several Connecticut companies until 1970, when she opened The Darn Yarn Shoppe in Westport with her daughter. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, a great cook, skilled craftswoman and published author of short stories. Helen is survived by her devoted husband, John A. Russo of Fairfield, her loving children, daughter Donna Bender and her husband Ken of Fairfield and son John R. Russo and his wife Randy of Bridgeport, stepdaughter Jamie Breisler and her husband Joe of Westport, stepson Frederick Russo of Virginia, a brother Donnie Richardson and his wife Virginia of Asheboro, NC, her beloved grandchildren Kimberly and Evan Bender, an uncle and aunt, many cousins, nieces and nephews. Friends may call Thursday from 3p.m. to 6p.m. in the Redgate – Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull, a prayer service will be held at 5:00p.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777. To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com