(Russell)
Marion H. (Kindig) Russell died on September 19, 2009 at the age of 81 after a brief period of declining health, at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, MA. She was surrounded by the prayers and love of family and friends. Remembered for her infectious smile and genuine Faith, she was a beloved mother, sister and friend. Born in Luzerne Co, Pa, Marion was the daughter of the late Guy S. and Lida J. (Hobbes) Kindig. She was the former wife of the late Scott H. Russell, who died in 1989. She was an exceptional mother to Kirby G. Russell and his wife, Rachel of Littleton, MA, Ellen S. Gilbert and her husband, Paul of Taunton, MA and Elizabeth J. Barone of Sutton, MA. Marion was pre-deceased by her cherished son, Frederick L. Russell who died in November, 2008 at his home in R. I. She was the sister of William G. Kindig of Endicott, N. Y.
She was ahead of her time, after starting her education in rural Pennsylvania, at age 15, she attended and obtained her associates degree at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Then to Cornell University, where she trained at New York City Hospital to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. After her children were into elementary school, she returned to education, earning a Master’s Degree in Education from Worcester State College with a strong focus on counseling and death and dying. She utilized this knowledge by opening the Palliative Care Unit at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester and then guiding families as a Nurse Liaison and Hospice nurse at VNA of Cape Cod.
Married in 1950, she and her former husband traveled to Morocco and across the United States, raising their four children. Lovingly known as “Ahmah” to her 12 grandchildren, who have been greatly influenced by her love of people, education, cooking, works of art in her braided rugs, butterflies, nature and her strong belief in God. She easily captured the role of surrogate “Mom” to many Westboro youth, including cherished exchange students. Marion’s infectious smile instilled hope and optimism. We will do our best to instill her memory in her great-grandson, Austin Tyler, born on the day that her illness began in May.
Marion continued to correspond frequently, by “snail mail” with her former sister-in-law, Fifi, her ‘Sis’- Judy, and church mates from Sandwich, MA. She was involved in some capacity at all of the churches that she joined along the way. She enjoyed the mission committee for SERVV, assisting to eradicate poverty on an international level. She was also an avid supporter of animal care like the Humane Society and the National Wildlife Foundation.
In lieu of flowers, kindly send a contribution to the Building Fund of the
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, “OLD STONE CHURCH”,
785 South Main St., Raynham, MA. 02767 or a charity of one’s choice.
Please join us in a Celebration of Marion’s life on Sunday,
October 11, 2009 at 1:00 o’clock in the FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
“OLD STONE CHURCH”, 785 South Main St., Raynham, MA. 02767