Orth, who lost her husband one week ago, indicated that Tim had been under a tremendous amount of pressure recently in his work and personal life. His beloved father, Big Russ, is in declining health and the newsman had to make the decision to move him to an assisted living facility in Buffalo, NY. Orth said that was a huge psychological strain on Tim.

Tim joined his wife and son in Europe just prior to his death to celebrate Luke’s graduation from Boston College. Orth said the family vacation was made difficult because the weather in Rome was extremely hot and humid. She said that she was exhausted but noted that Russert bounded through the experience with enthusiastic energy. She remarked to him that she didn’t know how he could do that.

Maureen said that the thing that has surprised her most about the past week is the unbelievable outpouring of love and support that she and her son has received from people around the world. She said, “I had no idea Tim meant so much to people he didn’t even know.”

Source: By Bitten and Bound http://bittenandbound.com/