Edith Ann Russell

Edith, the youngest of 13 children, was born December 10, 1908 in Jewell, OR to James and Mary Anne Court. At age one, her father passed away. At age three, she went to live with her Mother's family in Portland, OR. She attended boarding school and later graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Portland in 1926. After high school Edith completed nurses training and went on to work at the hospital in Astoria, OR. Wanting something different, she went to beauty school and successfully opened her own beauty salon in Portland right in the middle of the Great Depression. In 1941, she met the "love of her life", Robert (Bob) Russell. Soon they were married. She sold her business and moved to Suquamish, WA where she and Bob lived until 1947. During WWII, both Bob and Edith worked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. After the war, they moved to Gilberton, a small community closer to Bremerton. Bob continued to work at the "Navy Yard" and Edith became a homemaker and mother. They had three children, Maryann, Christopher and Robert.

Edith and Bob shared a faith in God and were always active in church activities. For a number of years, Edith taught Catechism classes in the family home to local area Catholic children. They prioritized their life in order to be able to send their children to Star of the Sea Catholic School.

Edith remained a homemaker, planted a garden, canned fruits and vegetables, and made jams/jellies each year, and volunteered in the schools. She and Bob were always active members at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. As the Parish became overcrowded, they were actively involved in establishing the new Holy Trinity Parish in Bremerton.

After Bob retired from Bangor in 1973, for two years he did maintenance and was all around handyman at Holy Trinity Parish. In 1975, Edith and Bob had the opportunity to become the full-time rangers at Camp Blanchet, the CYO Camp, and moved to Raft Island.

In 1978, they welcomed their first grandchild. Unfortunately, shortly after, Bob was diagnosed with terminal cancer and at that time they returned to their family home in Gilberton. Bob passed away that same year.

After Bob’s passing, Edith remained active in the church, busy with her family, and travelled often. The highlight of her travels was when she spent 3 weeks in Europe, part of that time she was travelling by herself. She was always a woman up for a good adventure. Three more grandchildren came in the years between 1981 and 1986 and she spent time with them on a daily basis while they were growing up. Edith became a great grandma for the first time in 1997, followed by seven more great grandchildren over the years, with one more on the way at the time of her passing.

Edith was preceded in death by her parents, 8 sisters, 4 brothers, husband Bob, daughter-in-law Deborah Talbot Russell, many family members and close friends. She is survived by her daughter Maryann Russell Steele, sons, Christopher and Robert Russell, Darlene Dague, 4 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.

Edith will always be remembered as a devout Catholic, an adventurer even into her late 90s, an amazing mother and grandmother and most importantly a woman who loved and was loved by all. Edith passed away at 107 years of age on June 16, 2016.

Some of Edith's favorite stories:

Edith loved to tell the story of her first plane ride in 1921 in an open cockpit, with exposed gears and a helmet that had to be held on by the pilot’s hand, her love for adventure began there.

One of her favorite past times while working at the hospital was to spend the stormiest days riding the ferry back and forth across the Columbia River.

Edith, in her 80s and 90s, was known to jump on trampolines, go with family on boat trips to the San Juan Islands, to want to walk on driftwood logs and to wear her granddaughter’s high heels around the house

She will be greatly missed by all.

Her services will be held Friday, June 24 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 4215 Pine Rd. NE, Bremerton WA 98310 with Rosary at 10:30, funeral Mass at 11:00 and a reception to follow in the Church Social Hall. A graveside service will be held at Miller-Woodlawn, 5505 Kitsap Way, Bremerton WA 98312 at 3:30.

Edith's family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staff at the former Kitsap Health and Rehab Center in Bremerton, and to those at Bainbridge Island Health and Rehab Center for the care they provided during her stay.

In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity.