SANDRA GAIL RUSSELL

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SANDRA GAIL RUSSELL

(nee JACKSON)

After a long battle with Dementia, it is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our Mother, Sandra Gail Russell (nee Jackson) at the age of 84 on July 24, 2024, at West Park Manor Personal Care Home with both her daughters by her side.

Mom leaves to mourn her children, Cathy (Rick) and Colleen (Kemal); her grandchildren, Brayden (Kim), Riley (Cat), Shelbi, Adam (Grace) and Megan; her sister Arlene (Bob); sister-in-law June; as well as her nieces, her nephew and many lifelong friends.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Mickey, her mother Katherine, father James and her brother Jim.

Mom was born in Winnipeg at the old Victoria Hospital on River Avenue and grew up on Parker Avenue in West Fort Gary. She attended Kindergarten to grade eight at Lord Roberts School, grade nine at Kelvin and high school at Gordon Bell. Before she graduated, she took a secretarial course at Gordon Bell and learned bookkeeping and typing and other clerical skills. From high school, she went to work at the age of 17. Mom held various administrative positions at Winnipeg Supply and Fuel, Manitoba Power Commission and Wawanesa Life Insurance. After we were born, Mom took eight years off to be with us as a stay-at-home Mom and she went back to work when we were in school. Later she worked for the City of Winnipeg Parks and Recreation Department, St. John Brebeuf Parish and The Social Planning Council of Winnipeg taking computer courses and updating her skills along the way. For the remainder of her career, she worked for the Winnipeg School Division #1 before retiring to live out her golden years with Dad.

Mom met our Dad Mickey Russell when she was 21 and they were both working for the Manitoba Power Commission. They married in 1963 and were together for 43 years before Dad passed away in 2006. They had an amazing bond; they rarely argued or raised their voices at one another. Mom always referred to him as the love of her life and he felt the same way about her.

Mom had many hobbies; she loved knitting, stamp collecting, reading, researching family genealogy, gardening and listening to music. She also loved to sing. As a child she took singing lessons until she was 13. She sang in her school choir as well as the Winnipeg Girls Choir. She loved every type of music from pop to jazz to classical. But her favorite pastime was spending time with family and friends. She was extremely fortunate to have the friendship, love and support of an amazing group of girlfriends who she was so grateful to have had in her life for almost 70 years – Carol, Darlene, Nadia (Nodj), Ellen and Judy Lynne.

As a Mom she could not have been more doting and devoted, she was loving, selfless and giving beyond measure. She had the most amazing smile and her whole face would light up when she saw her children and grandchildren. She loved us fiercely and with everything she had, we are forever grateful to be her daughters.

We wish to acknowledge and thank the many caregivers at West Park Manor for caring for our Mom for the past four years, with special thanks to Claire for the kindness, compassion and love she always gave to our Mom and to us.

In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to attend as we pay tribute and celebrate her life on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jean Brebeuf Church with reception to follow in the Church Hall.

If so desired, donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald Street. Winnipeg, MB.

We love you so much Mom, you are finally free to fly with the angels, fly free.

E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors

204-253-5086

Tributes: ejcoutu.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 03, 2024, Aug 03, 2024