Mary Rosalie Russell

Rosalie was born June 3, 1938 to Charlie and Mary Gibb, dairy farmers on Sumas Prairie. She attended Upper Sumas School until Grade 9 and later graduated from Phillip Sheffield High School in Abbotsford, completing Grade 13. During her high school years, she worked part time at the Red & White grocery store in old downtown Abbotsford. Upon graduation, her work as a grocery store cashier became fulltime. She was later a cashier at Shop Easy and finally Super Valu where she retired as head cashier in her late 60’s.

Rosalie married Gary Russell on June 12, 1959 and they shared life together for 59 years. During their holidays, they camped with their motorhome, cruised to several locations such as the Panama Canal, Alaska and the Eastern Caribbean. There were several trips to Hawaii as well. They also had a small cabin on Cultus Lake for several years and enjoyed entertaining family and friends for many summers.

Rosalie enjoyed hobbies such as playing cards, reading, knitting, collecting cookbooks and baking. Her family looked forward to all the desserts she single-handedly baked for the annual Christmas dinner of 40+ people. She made quilts, volunteered to help with community events and made specialty pillows for women undergoing breast cancer treatments, as a member of the Sumas Women’s Institute.

Rosalie was fun and easy going. If you ever asked her how she was, her answer was always “I’m fine”. Even while undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma, attending hemodialysis three times a week or when she broke both sides of her ankle, she was not one to complain.

After Gary passed in 2018, Rosalie pushed forward with a positive attitude. After an extended hospital stay, and a stint in a senior care home, Rosalie recovered enough to go to Hallmark on the Park Assisted Living. There she found a supportive staff and a comfortable home and quickly became the staff’s “favourite”. She spent over five years with her Hallmark family. It was during this time that Rosalie discovered Ice Caps from Tim Hortons, which many of her visitors were happy to bring her.

Rosalie’s health began to decline this past summer as she struggled with shortness of breath and required oxygen around the clock. Through it all, she kept her positivity and continued to make the best of her situation. Then on December 10th Rosalie was admitted into the hospital and passed peacefully into heaven on December 29th. She was predeceased by her husband Gary, sister Shirley Lidster, brothers Ross and Don Gibb. She is survived by her sister Pat (Gord) DeLair and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

The family would like to thank her special helpers Friday and Maddie who were such a tremendous blessing to her. Also, the staff of Cheam 2 at ARH, the hemodialysis staff of ARH, and the caring staff of Hallmark on the Park for being so supportive. Special thanks to her little angel Ilona who was willing to step in when the family couldn’t. Rosalie enjoyed every minute she spent with you.

There will be a private celebration of life later in Spring. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that donations be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC and Yukon Branch at kidney.ca.