Marlene E. Russell's Obituary
Marlene E. Russell, 81, a Ft. Myers, Florida resident since 2001, formerly of Deep River, Connecticut, passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2019 with her family by her side. Born in West Springfield, Massachusetts on May 1, 1937 to Charles and Evelyn Leete, now deceased, Marlene grew up in her birthplace. Kind, generous and caring, she devoted her life to helping others, graduating The Mercy Hospital Nursing School in 1958 as an RN. She worked at The Mercy Hospital until 1964. She then moved to Deep River, Connecticut in 1969 and continued her service to others volunteering as a certified EMT in the Fire Department and working in a pediatric physician’s practice. She became a resource for many friends and neighbors, always willing lend a helping hand.Marlene has said that the greatest moment of her life was meeting Walter Russell, her loving husband and life partner of 59 years. They were married September 26, 1959 and raised three children, adopting their first in February 1964, the second in July 1965, and in 1971, Marlene delivered one more. She enjoyed gardening, reading and travel. As much as she loved travel, her favorite place was always home.Along with her parents, Marlene is preceded in death by her sister, Nancy St. Germaine. She is survived by her beloved husband, Walter Russell of Ft. Myers, Florida; three children, Mary Murphy (James Murphy, III) of Northborough, Massachusetts, Jeffrey Russell of Louisville, Kentucky, and Matthew Russell of Louisville, Kentucky; as well as two adored grandchildren, Olivia Kathleen Murphy and James Joseph Murphy, IV, both of Northborough, Massachusetts.A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 10:00 AM, Friday, February 22, 2019 at Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord, 8121 Cypress Lake Drive, Ft. Myers, FL 33919.Arrangements for final care have been entrusted to Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555. To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer a condolence at this difficult time please visit www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign the guestbook.
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