Anne Russell

Lifelong Staten Islander Anne M. Russell, 79, of Oakwood Beach, who loved to spend time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, died yesterday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince’s Bay.

She was born Anne M. Vunck in the house her father built in Oakwood, and moved to Great Kills with her family in the mid-1930s. She settled in Oakwood Beach in 1952.

Mrs. Russell attended McKee High School.

She worked for several years at Chubb & Son Insurance Co., Manhattan, before leaving the workforce to raise her family. After her children were older, she was a waitress at several Island diners, including the former Russo’s, Colonnade, and former Country Diner. She retired in 1994.

Mrs. Russell loved animals and contributed to P.L.U.T.O. Rescue of Richmond County. She was a member of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers.

She liked going to yard sales. The good cook enjoyed reading old cookbooks, and when she was younger was fond of cross-stitch embroidery.

Mrs. Russell treasured time spent with her extended family.

“She will be greatly missed,” said her daughter, Trudy Kuhn.

Along with her daughter, Trudy, surviving are her sons, Donald, David and Timothy; her daughters, Annemarie Smith, and Carolanne Lyle; a sister, Gertrude Parker; 11 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren