Obituary: Marie J. Russell

January 28, 1931 - December 1, 2022

October 27, 2023 

Marie Russell, 1931-2023. Courtesy photo

WATERBURY/NORTHFIELD – Marie J. “Jeanne” Russell, 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, at Mayo Healthcare in Northfield, with a stuffed teddy bear tucked in tightly beside her on her pillow. Born in Beverly, Massachusetts, on January 28, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Daniel A. and Edna (Valcourt) MacEachern.

Jeanne attended St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Elementary and High School. Following graduation she studied at Salem State Teacher’s College in Salem, Massachusetts, now Salem State University. Upon graduation, she and her lifelong best friend, Maureen (O’Maley) Griffin, moved to Waterbury. Maureen taught at Waitsfield High School and Jeanne taught at Waterbury High School. On a blind date in 1954, she met Richard L. “Dick” Russell, a senior at the University of Vermont. They were married on November 5, 1955, at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church in Beverly.

Their wedding marked the beginning of a 60-year partnership. Dick was the fighter pilot, logical, and a planner. Jeanne was the caregiver, warm, loving, funny, and a dreamer. They shared life together, trusting and depending on each other.

The first half of their marriage focused on Dick and the U.S. Air Force, although Jeanne had her own responsibilities. She raised her two boys, Dan and Rich, providing a consistent positive presence in their lives. She encouraged participation in all kinds of sports, and never missed an event. Jeanne also served at different times as the president of the officer’s wives’ club.

The family traveled extensively, splitting time between the United States and Europe, living in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona and California, as well as England, Spain and France. In 1969, during Dick’s third tour in Vietnam, they moved the family to Waterbury Center, to be close to Dick’s brother and sister in-law, Bill and Chila Russell. Jeanne kept herself busy working in Stowe and substitute teaching at Waterbury Elementary School. In 1982, they retired to Waterbury Center.

Jeanne loved warm weather and the ocean. The second half of her marriage was spent by the water, between Venice, Florida, and Beverly, Massachusetts. She enjoyed being at the pool or the beach, and striking up a conversation with someone new. She also loved visits from her grandchildren.

Jeanne is survived by her son, Richard L. Russell Jr. and his wife Deanna, of Clarendon, Vermont; four grandchildren, Kathryn and Kyle Russell of Washington D.C., Sean Russell of Quechee, Vermont, and Lynn Russell of Waterbury; two sisters, Ann Pfaff of South Hamilton, Massachusetts, and Irene Toma of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania; as well as nieces, nephews, and extended family. 

Jeanne was predeceased by her husband, Col. Richard L. Russell, a son, Lt. Col. Daniel A. Russell, and a brother Donald MacEachern.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Waterbury on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 1:30 p.m. Inurnment will be in the family lot in Maple Street Cemetery in Waterbury Center.  Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury.