In Loving Memory of Our Mama Pat
Our beloved mother, Pat Russell, 93, passed away the way she lived her life—with grace, with style, and with the love of her family surrounding her.
Words cannot begin to express how grateful we are to have shared this beautiful journey with our Mama. She loved life, loved her family deeply, cherished her friends, and adored the many people who became her fans along the way. She had a way of making people feel special, welcomed, and loved simply by being in her presence.
Pat was born in Los Angeles in 1933. Her family came from humble beginnings, with her father’s family tracing their roots to Dublin, Ireland, and her mother’s family coming from Ohio. She was one of four children, and from the very beginning, family was at the heart of her life.
It seemed Pat was born with a little bit of stardust. At just three years old, she won a Better Baby Bureau talent contest. By the age of nine, she was already showing remarkable musical talent learning to play the piano.
When Pat was just 12 years old, she asked her father to teach her how to drive. Six months later, her father unexpectedly passed away, leaving Pat as the only person in the family who could drive and received a special driver’s license. At such a young age, she stepped into a role far beyond her years. She drove her mother and sisters to work, herself and her little brother to school. It was one of the earliest examples of her strength, independence and devotion to family.
Music was woven into the fabric of the family. Pat and her sisters sang together, harmonizing like the Andrews Sisters. Mamas velvety voice eventually would take her far beyond the family living room and into a life filled with music, performance and unforgettable friendships.
Pat later became a flight attendant with American Airlines, traveling throughout the country with her best friend. After leaving the airline, she became part of a group of former stewardesses known as the Kiwis. Together they created and choreographed elaborate entertainment productions. Competing against other groups of former stewardesses, they easily won the competitions hands down.
In 1955, Pat met the man who would become her husband, Hank Russell. They married and began a family of their own, raising three children: Teresa, Michele and Michael.
Pat and Hank, along with her sister and brother-in-law, opened a restaurant business called “The Drink” with live music, treating guests to the cool rhythmic sounds of Brazilian bossa nova and jazz, highlighted by a special performance from Pat and her sisters.
In 1967, Pat and her family moved to Westlake Village, becoming one of the first families to move into the First Neighborhood. There, she created a home where everyone felt welcome. And yup! The garage band started up… with daughter Teresa and the cousins… and mama managing at the helm.
Eventually Pat was towing her musical youngsters across Southern California . She booked everything from high school dances to clubs on the Sunset Strip followed by appearances in film and TV, including premier hotels and venues in Mexico City.
Every summer brought another cherished tradition; camping on the Merced River in Yosemite with family and friends. Pat did not believe in roughing it too much. Instead, she packed a U-Haul full of everything but the kitchen sink, making sure her family could enjoy the great outdoors in style. Of course, the music and band gear came with the program.
Pat wore many more hats throughout her life. She worked as a secretary in her husband’s business, became a licensed acupressure and massage therapist, worked as a car sales person, studied metaphysics and loved gardening. But of all the roles Pat played throughout her remarkable life, her greatest role was being a mother.
When life called upon her in an extraordinary way, Pat became a full-time caregiver to her adult son Michael for 27 years. She gave herself entirely to his care and wellbeing with endless grace.
When her daughter Michele married Clint Dougherty, Pat’s family grew again. She inherited a beautiful and ever-growing family and embraced every new generation with open arms. She became a grandmother to a great-great-grandmother, lovingly known as GMA & 3-G.
In 2018, after many wonderful years in Westlake Village, Pat moved to Ventura County to be closer to her daughters and family. Once again, music became the thread that brought everyone together.
Singing favorite jazz classics from her 2006 debut CD and more, her torchy vocal flair continued to draw in a growing community of adoring fans. Everyone called her Mama Pat. Her most requested classic was “What a Wonderful World.” The way mama sang it made everyone stop and listen—and somehow, the world really did seem a little more wonderful.
Mama Pat leaves behind much more than memories. She leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness that will live through every generation she touched.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Teresa Russell and Michele Dougherty; son-in-law, Clint Dougherty; her grandchildren to great-great-grandchildren; and her many adored nieces and nephews, along with countless friends whose lives were made brighter by knowing her.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved sisters, Joyce and Kathleen; her brother Bill, her son, Michael; her former husband, Hank; and several nephews and niece.
Thank you, mama, for your unconditional love and devotion, your strength, grace, humor and wit, and your gift of music.
You are singing with the Angels now.
We love you!!!
Please visit the Facebook Memorial for Pat - https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02xm1MVD7PqTd5w8FuQpxodL85zbNeRTsrR7eztHFgjjfPLkL9q3gjrhYtUioR19z7l&id=748005983&mibextid=qC1gEa
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.