Marian Louise Russell, of Good Shepherd Village at Endwell NY, passed away on August 15, 2017 after a brief illness. She was born November 3, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, to Marguerite (Rutledge) and Edward Sauve. Of Marian’s siblings, she is predeceased by Douglas, Loretta, Gerald, Clayton, and Joanne; she is survived by her sister Marcy. On May 12, 1952, Marian married Gordon Louis Russell; two of Gordon’s siblings survive her: John and Myra. Marian is also survived by her three children, Kim Russell, husband of Elyse of Wisconsin; Scott Russell, husband of Paula, of Endicott; and Jeanine Gonzalez of Johnson City. In addition to her children, she is survived by five grandchildren and two great grandchildren: John Russell (husband of Brigid, with children Cameron and Fiona); Emily (wife of Jason Dearin); Jacqueline (wife of Thomas Albrecht); Bobby Gonzalez; and Greg Gonzalez. Marian was always a very active person. While in Endicott, she bowled as many as five times a week and carried an average score of over 160. As an Avon Lady, she was well liked for her companionship as well as her salesmanship. At their home in Crestview Heights, Marian enjoyed the backyard pool that her husband and sons helped to build. Poolside was a great place for quiet moments and for lively neighborhood gatherings. After their retirement, they built a home on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia, where they lived for sixteen years (before returning to the Endicott-Binghamton area). During this period, Marian was very active in volunteer work. She served as president of the Bedford Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and ran the hospital gift shop. She was a Fire Belle with the Saunders Volunteer Fire Department, worked with the Huddleston Elementary School’s reading program, and attended and was an active member of Patmos United Methodist Church. Marian’s most recent home at Good Shepherd, where she rekindled friendships from her previous time in the area and made many new friends, made her final years very special and fun. She truly appreciated the love and support she found there. Locally she has attended both Central United Methodist Church and Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church and found very supportive friends in both churches.
A celebration of her life will be held November 3, 2017 from 4-8 pm at Good Shepherd Village Endwell, 32 Village Drive, Endwell. The family thanks the many people who supported Marian along her journey of life and greatly appreciates the many acts of kindness bestowed on her.