Donna Diette Russell

Donna Diette Hurley Russell, beloved wife of Michael Russell, and mother of Jennifer and Meghann Russell, passed away at home in Alexandria Virginia on the evening of December 19th 2016 after a valiant struggle with cancer. Her family was at her bedside at the time of her death. Donna was born in Sterling, Illinois to Margaret and James Warren Hurley on September 25th, 1947. She was the youngest of their four children, and their only daughter. Donna grew up in Sterling, and later, as her family moved, in Moline and Rock Island, Illinois. She graduated from Alleman High School in Rock Island, and then attended Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa where she received a bachelors degree in education. She taught elementary school in Hampton, Illinois for a number of years, until the birth of her second daughter. In 1976 she married Michael Russell, and they settled in Bettendorf, Iowa, where they raised their two daughters until 1988, when the family moved to Alexandria, Virginia. She resumed teaching, this time for Fairfax County Public Schools, until she left the classroom to become a school-based technology specialist, also for Fairfax County Schools. She served in that capacity until her retirement in 2010. Donna pursued many interests. While living in Bettendorf (and before), she was active in community theater, especially Playcrafters Barn Theater in Moline, Illinois. She and Mike worked on or appeared in a number of plays until their move to Alexandria. She loved the ocean and beaches, and with her family spent time many summers along the seacoasts of Florida (where her parents retired), Maryland, Maine, and Virginia. She and Mike loved to travel. They travelled to Ireland (five times), England, France, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, and other destinations.

Donna is survived by her husband, Michael; their two daughters, Jennifer Russell and Meghann Russell; and all three of her brothers: James Hurley, who lives in San Francisco, California; Patrick Hurley, who lives in Dunwoody, Georgia, and Michael Hurley, who lives near New York City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Save the Children foundation.

What down-to-your toes goodness you were filled with! A goodness that burned so brightly in you that it made the lives you touched—the children you taught, the friends you made, the family that raised you and the family you created-- better, happier, more fully alive for having known you.

We love you, and we will carry your warmth and love with us always.

-Mike, Jenni, Meg