Jeanette Ann Russell

Formerly of Arlington Heights

Jeanette A. "Jean" Russell, of Denver, Colorado, passed away on April 5, 2020, at the age of 100. She was born Jan. 24,1920, in Chicago to parents John and Rose Fogarty. Jean, who lived the first 91 years of her life in Chicago and suburban Arlington Heights, moved to Denver in 2011 to be with her three children, who all live in Colorado.

She was educated at Trinity High School and attended Rosary College in Illinois for a year. She was very social in high school, competed in track and was interested in majoring in French in college. Jean enjoyed singing and once auditioned for a job as a singer. During World War II, Jean worked in retail at Marshall Field & Co. in downtown Chicago. It was there she met her future husband, M. Donald Russell, also an employee of the store. They were married in October 1944, while he was home on leave from the Army Air Forces in the Pacific theater.

She is survived by three children, Donald of Denver, Gary of Lone Tree, Colo., and Suzanne of Estes Park, Colo.

After her husband died in 1992, Jean remained in her home and showed that she was very independent and could handle her own finances. She volunteered for many years at the local public library where she made many friends she kept in later years.

Jean’s focus was always on her family. Many times, her parents would give her money to spend on herself, but she used that money instead to buy things for the family. Suzanne, who has a Ph.D. in geology, remembers that Mom always encouraged her to continue her education beyond high school and defended her choice to do so when her grandfather believed a high school education was enough.

Gary recalls how Mom helped him learn how to read when he was about 7 years old. They would sit at the kitchen table and use little flashcards. She seemed to be enjoying herself more than he was. Gary says the drill helped him become a good reader and do well in school.

Don is very grateful to his mother for introducing him to his future wife, Judy. She worked at the same company as his mother. That was the beginning of a courtship that led to a 46-year-and-counting marriage.

Jean enjoyed traveling, and two places she always wanted to go were Ireland and Paris. She was very excited when Don and Judy invited her to come with and fulfill two of her longtime wishes.

A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made on behalf of Jeanette Russell to Trinity High School, 7574 W. Division St., River Forest, IL 60305, 708-771-8383, www.trinityhs.org.

Funeral Information and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFuneralHome.com or (847) 253-0168.