Lolita Russell

Lolita Rueda Russell, 90, affectionately known as Lee, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2025, from complications related to dementia. Born on June 30, 1935, in the Philippines, Lee was the oldest of fourteen children born to Alberto and Carmen Rueda. She later met her future husband, Thomas Russell, who was stationed at Clark Air Force Base. The two were married in 1960 and shared 25 years together until Thomas’s passing from cancer in 1985. Lee never remarried, remaining devoted to her family and friends throughout her life.

Lee loved to cook for her family and friends, often filling her home with the comforting aromas of her favorite Filipino dishes. For a brief time, she and her two sisters, Norma and Carmen, owned and operated the International Café in Melbourne, where they shared their Filipino culture and love of its food with the community. In her spare time, she enjoyed travelling, sipping margaritas, playing Bingo and cards with her friends and listening to songs by Elvis Presley. One of her favorite trips was when she visited Graceland in Memphis, TN as a celebration of her 80th birthday.

Lee was a devout Catholic and found strength and joy in her faith. She held strong ties to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Palm Bay and in her early years was an active volunteer. She carried her devotion throughout her life.

Over the years, Lee called Palm Bay, Miami, and Las Vegas home. No matter where she lived, she had a gift for forming deep, lasting friendships. Her warmth, kindness, and easy laugh left an impression on everyone she met.

Above all, Lee was enormously proud of her family. She was the mother of James Russell (Cheryl), Kathy Dotson (Joseph), Debbie Scot (David), and the late Jeffrey Russell. Her joy was her grandchildren: Chandra, Ashley, Jared, Mallory, Brandi, Jennifer, Taylor, Sean, Morgan and great-children Chloe and Cierra. Lee will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose presence brought joy to many lives.

Lee is now reunited in eternal peace with her husband Tom, her son Jeffrey Russell and her parents Alberto and Carmen Rueda.

A warm thank you to the VITAS Hospice team for their support over the past couple of months through mom's journey.

A private family service will be held to honor her life.

“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us everyday.”