Brenda Kay Russo

Brenda Kay Olive was born on April 20, 1948, to Johnnie and Joe Olive in Blythe, California. She had two sisters, Donna and Sandra. Sadly, her father died when she was a young girl leaving her mother to raise Brenda and her two sisters.

Brenda’s family moved to Clovis, and eventually to Martinez where she completed high school. It was in Martinez where she met the love of her life, Ben Russo. Ben and Brenda were married in 1967. Together they had three children, Chris, Michelle and Kathleen.

Raised Baptist, Brenda converted to Catholicism in her twenties and lived her life as a devout Catholic. She was a loving mom and devoted wife. She raised her children with her gentle strength. She and Ben worked together in several businesses throughout their married years.

Brenda loved going to the Broadway Shows at the Music Circus in Sacramento. She loved animals, gardening, painting, traveling, puzzles, and an occasional turn at the slot machines. Brenda’s warm and playful personality drew people to her and she became fast friends with many. While young at heart, she was also kind, humble and elegant.

In 2023, Brenda was diagnosed with cancer. She fought valiantly with courage, strength and dignity. Confident of her eternity in the arms of the Lord, Brenda was surrounded by her loving family as she passed peacefully on June 5.

Brenda leaves behind her husband Ben; son Chris (Christy), daughter Michelle Bedwell (Mike), daughter Kathleen Naugle (Casey Fetter), grandchildren Aubri & Tabitha Russo, Brittany & Justin Shelley, Julia Bedwell, Joseph & Salvatore Naugle, and Kassidy, Casey, David, Timmy & Jordan Fetter; great grandson Hunter Reiling, sister Sandra Reinig; brother and sister-in-law Tony & Kathleen Russo; and numerous god-children, nieces and nephews. Brenda is preceded in death by parents Johnnie Victoria & Joe Bailey Olive, step-father Casey Gitchel, and sister Donna & Danny Hoskins.

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If you plan to attend the Celebration of Life at BJ's Restaurant in Roseville, please RSVP to BenRusso46@gmail.com.