Barbara Calvert Russell

Barbara is survived by her daughter Anne (Randy) Torbeck of Champaign, IL and three grandchildren: Barbara (Kevin) Wendorf of Havana, IL, Doug (Sara) Torbeck of Palatine, IL, and Katie (Will) Taylor of Savoy, IL. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law: Edith Crosland, formerly of Calgary, and Pauline Crosland of Spruce Home, SK, as well as many nieces and nephews. Grandma Russell was blessed in her last year on earth with a great-grandson, Matthew Wendorf. She was preceded in death by her husband and best friend Jack Russell, her loving son Stephen, and her four brothers, Jack, Jim, Frank, and Dick Crosland.

Barbara was born in Watson, SK on January 11, 1920 to Raymond and Muriel (Bickers) Crosland, both of whom had been born in England and had emigrated with their families to Canada in the early 1900’s. She was raised in Prince Albert and later moved to Calgary. She met the love of her life, Jack Russell in Banff and the two were married on August 11, 1951 in Calgary. They later moved to Edmonton and were blessed with a daughter, Anne, and a son, Stephen. She was employed at Mainline Equipment Company in Edmonton for many years before her retirement. She and Jack retired to Calgary in 1987.

Barbara loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart, and served Him faithfully throughout her life. Her legacy of faith included service to St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Edmonton, and Woodcliff United Church in Calgary.

Barbara has been interred at Edenbrook Memorial Gardens, Calgary, alongside her beloved husband Jack and their son Stephen. In Barbara's memory, a tree seedling has been planted by the U. S. Forestry Service, for which the family is grateful. The family also wishes to thank Barbara’s many neighbors and friends, as well as the staffs of Foothills Hospital, South Calgary Funeral Centre, and Edenbrook Memorial Gardens for their kindness and assistance.

“Mum”, “Grandma Russell”, and “Auntie Babs” will be forever remembered and loved.