Obituary of Ruth Russell

​Ruth S. Russell entered into eternal rest peacefully on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at the age of 89, with her daughter by her side.  She was born on August 13, 1929 in Southampton, Long Island to Harry and Ruth Smith. Ruth was the oldest daughter of nine children.  She was educated in the Westhampton Beach, Long Island school system. 

​Ruth moved to New Jersey in the mid 1940’s and settled in Madison shortly thereafter.  Shortly afterwards she met her beloved husband and best friend, Beresford “Bere” Russell, Jr. They remained in Madison where they would raise their family, a son, Alan (deceased) and daughter, Karen. Ruth took great pride in the Madison Community.  She was a longtime member of the Madison Ambulance Corp for many years and assisted the Madison Police Department.  She was a dedicated track mom to the Madison High School track team for many years during her daughters time on the team and beyond. 

​Ruth had a heart of gold and devoted her life to caring for others which led her into an extensive career in nursing.  She graduated with her LPN in 1957 from St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in Montclair.  She was employed by Overlook Hospital in Summit for 45 years prior to retiring in 2000. 

​Ruth was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church of Morristown for many years where she served in the areas of the Usher Board, Nursing Staff, a Greeter and the Founder of the Cancer Support Ministry.  She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Ruth was an avid sports fan with football being her favorite sport to watch with family and friends. Ruth was always in attendance at her son Alan's football and baseball games. 

​Ruth will be remembered most for her life's motto: “life is what you make it!” She had a quick wit and insatiable sense of humor.  To know Ruth was to love her and to have her as a friend was a precious jewel. Ruth had a smile that would light up any room and was the life of any gathering, always laughing and socializing. 

​Ruth was predeceased by her beloved husband, Beresford Russell, Jr in 2014; her dear son, Alan Russell in 2012 and six siblings, Harry, Kenneth, Hazel, Frederick, Eleanor & Mildred. She leaves to cherish in memory, her loving daughter, Karen and son-in-law Terrence of Piscataway, NJ; two brothers,  William and James Smith both of New York; godson Walter Dowdy of Morristown, NJ and goddaughter Lynda Hunter of Southhampton, NY with a host of other loving family and dear friends.

​Ruth’s legacy will forever live in the hearts of those that knew and loved her!

A funeral service will be held at 11AM on Monday, September 24, 2018 at the Calvary Baptist Church, 10 Martin Luther King Avenue, Morristown. Interment to follow at Heavenly Rest Cemetery, East Hanover. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a visitation to celebrate Ruth’s life on Sunday from 3PM to 6PM at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made in Ruth’s memory to the Madison Ambulance Corps, 29 Prospect St, Madison, NJ 07940 or the Madison Police PBA 92, 62 Kings Road, Madison, NJ 07940

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website at www.madisonmemorialhome.com