Irene U. (Russo) Colacchio, of Paxton, passed away on New Year's Day, January 1, 2012, in Notre Dame Long Term Care Center, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased in 1994 by her loving husband of forty-seven years, Thomas J. Colacchio. Irene is survived by two sons, Thomas P. Colacchio and his wife Kimberly of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire and Paul Vincent Colacchio and his wife Paula of Dudley; two daughters, Joanne Colacchio of Paxton and Dorothy Garrepy and her husband Steven of Tolland, CT; four grandchildren, Caitlin, Andrew, Amanda and Anthony; a brother in law, Eugene Colacchio and his wife Marie of Millbury nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by six siblings, including Fr. Armado C. Russo in 2007. She was born in Worcester, daughter of Paul and Marianne (Caradente) Russo and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, she later attended Worcester State College. Mrs. Colacchio was a member of Saint Columba Parish in Paxton. Her passions were her faith and family. She enjoyed caring for her family and loved being surrounded by them. The Colacchio family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the kind and loving people at Notre Dame Long Term Care; the compassion and love they shared will long be remembered. There are no calling hours. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 4, at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 24 Mulberry Street, Worcester (Please go directly to church). Interment will follow in Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Notre Dame Long Term Care, 559 Plantation Street, Worcester 01605 or to The Sisters of St. Joseph in care of Mont Marie, 34 Lower Westfield Road, Suite 1, Holyoke, MA 01040-2739.