Harriet Russell

She is preceded in death by her husband, Cameron MacRae, Jr. and later, her second husband, Victor Russell. She attended East Maine Conference Seminary in Bucksport, Maine, a preparatory school, and then went on to become a nurse. She lived in Coral Gables, FL with her uncle, Charles Crandon, and began her nursing career. She then worked as an air ambulance nurse for Pam American Airways, which became part of the U.S. Navy when World War II broke out. While a Navy nurse, she met and then married Cameron MacRae, Jr. After the war they lived in Concord, N.C., her husband’s home town, where she continued her career at Cabarrus Memorial Hospital, now Northeast Medical. She then moved to Naples, FL to care for her father, where she met and married Victor Russell. She came to live at Sunrise Assisted Living, now Brookdale Assisted Living in 2004. She was active in All Saints Episcopal Church in Concord and in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Naples, FL. She worked tirelessly for better living conditions of the migrant workers in Florida. She was a no nonsense woman with a heart of gold. Presented with the impossible, she would roll up her sleeves and go to work.

She is survived by her son, Cameron MacRae III and daughter-in-law Jane of Concord; her daughter, Susan MacRae Broome and son-in-law Perry of Waxhaw, N.C.; a granddaughter, Barbara Beaver and her husband Tony; and granddaughters, Lauren and Madison Beaver. She is also survived by stepdaughter, Audrey Mary and her husband Jim Banovetz; a stepson, Dan Russell and his wife Jane; a stepson, Buzz Russell and his friend Ed; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Dr. Edward Bradford, who sang Frank Sinatra songs to her; the staff of Gus’s Restaurant who became her family; John Holland, who always treated her with love and respect; and all the angels at Brookdale Assisted Living who loved her and made her smile.

Those wishing to honor her may make donations to Novant Health Hospice, 324 N. McDowell St., Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28204, who did what she had done her whole life, care for others with kindness and selflessness.

A private memorial service will be held Christmas Day for immediate family.