Colette LaViale Russell

It is with deep love that we mourn the loss of Colette LaViale Russell, who passed away peacefully on March 12 in New York City at the age of 87, surrounded by her family. Known as Colette to her friends and Baba to her family, she was a woman of tremendous energy and spirit.

Born to a French father and Irish mother, Colette was raised with a strong sense of independence. She built a life defined by curiosity, kindness, grace, and deep devotion to the people she loved. She began her career as an editor at Vogue, where her appreciation for style first took hold, and later co-founded the Russell-Carey boutique on Madison Avenue. She was always elegant, and equally real.

While raising four children, Colette devoted significant time to charitable work with organizations including Grosvenor Neighborhood House and Boys Harbor. Giving back to her community was a natural extension of the generosity and energy that defined her life. Colette loved great meals, a good book, watching tennis, lively cabaret and cruises, and an overflowing calendar.

She had a gift for connecting with people. She made friends easily and kept them for life. Her home was always open, and many of her children’s and grandchildren’s friends came to think of it as a second home.

Above all, Colette put family first. She and her husband Charlie shared sixty years of marriage filled with partnership, laughter, and adventure.

A lifelong New Yorker, Colette attended the Spence School, where she served as student body president, and later graduated from Goucher College. After Charlie’s passing, she remained firmly rooted in the city she loved. Her apartment, her neighborhood, and the community around her were central to her life.

Reunited now with her beloved Charlie, Colette leaves behind a family who will carry forward her spirit, humor, and love of life. She is survived by her children Charles Jr., Christopher, Nicole, and Monique; her grandchildren Charles, William, Matthew, Amélie, Sébastien, Tristan, George, and Luke; her daughter- and sons-in-law Stapley, Samie, and Terry; and her sister Yvonne.

A Mass celebrating Colette’s life will be held at St. Vincent Ferrer on April 30 at 3:30 pm. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Rest in peace, sweet Baba.

Donations in Colette's name may be made to the Lymphoma Research Foundation:

https://lymphoma.org/