Patricia “Rusty” (Young) Ranese
July 13, 1942 – March 5, 2023
“You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived”
Rusty (80) passed away peacefully at Buffalo Mercy Hospital with daughter, Marie, holding her hand. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Salvatore Ranese. Along with daughter, Marie Ranese-Zell, she is survived by son, Joseph Ranese, and daughters, Michele (Ranese) Redding and Lori Ranese-Trotter, their spouses, and her brother, Michael Young. She leaves behind her seven grandchildren: Ashley Gordon, Jessica Kenerva, Traci, and Rebekah Trotter, Hailey Redding, Grant and Alexandra Zell, and four great-grandchildren: Marion, Ezekiel, Isla, and Daniel.
Known by all as Rusty, due to her red hair and vibrant personality, she was much more than a loving mother and grandmother, although her family was her greatest joy and accomplishment. Rusty was raised as an ‘army brat’ living in several places including Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany from the age of five to eleven. After graduating from Catasauqua High School in Pennsylvania, she worked at the Pentagon where she met and married, then-Marine, Salvatore Ranese. After leaving the service, they settled in Massachusetts to raise their family. Rusty served on the South Boston School Board in the 70’s during the bussing controversy, ran for Massachusetts House of Representatives (she withdrew prior to the election), and then went back to school to get her RN Nursing degree at age 34. Her nursing career included working a Carlton Memorial Hospital in the ICU, Nursing Supervisor at Paul Dever State Institution, and retired from Eastern Correctional Institution State Prison. She was an active member of the Loyal Order of the Moose and the American Legion.
Rusty was very outgoing, strangers and acquaintances quickly became friends. Throughout her children’s lives she was a brownie leader, softball coach, school chaperone at every field trip — her children’s biggest cheerleader and advocate. She led a long life, leaving behind fond, fun, and loving memories in the hearts of all who had the benefit of meeting her.
The family will receive friends Saturday March 11th from 1pm – 4pm at the F. E. BROWN SONS FUNERAL HOME 6575 E. Quaker St. Orchard Park, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Trotter Family’s mission work and transition house in Guatemala:
https://givesendgo.com/GG5E
, PayPal -
toteally.trotter@gmail.com
or through Bayside Community Church, P.O. Box 627, Pocomoke City, MD 21851 or to your local Humane Society as Rusty was a avid animal lover who adopted as many animals as she was able to over the years.