Elaine Grace Russell

Elaine Grace Russell, 73, passed away on October 27, 2026, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease after a hard-fought 13-year battle with the illness. Elaine was born September 10, 1953, to her late parents, Edward Creeron and Grace Bird, in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she spent her early childhood years before settling in Connecticut with her family.

Before Parkinson’s took hold, Elaine lived a full and vibrant life. She enjoyed a retail career that spanned most of her adult years. Most recently, she had spent several years as Showroom Manager of Affordable Lighting in Guilford.

Elaine enjoyed traveling, ceramics, antiquing at flea markets, playing cards, and donating her money to the slot machines at the casinos. Elaine loved animals, always surrounding herself with pets, from fish to cats to her adored pugs.

Above all else, Elaine was the heart and center of a large extended family that included both blood relatives and chosen family. She met her lifetime sweetheart, Kenneth Russell, at age 15 when she was still in high school. They were married on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1976, and earlier this year, they celebrated their 50th anniversary.

While she was the “official” mom to one daughter, Maureen Zarrella, Elaine served as mother figure and caregiver to countless others, including her siblings, nieces, nephews, children of friends, and truly, anyone who needed her.

In addition to her parents, Elaine was preceded in death by her brothers Leonard and Michael Creeron. Elaine leaves behind her devoted husband Kenny, cherished daughter Maureen and her husband Vinny, and siblings and their spouses: Edward and Margo Creeron of Deep River, Peggy and Judgie Kinrade of Deep River, Patty Lyons of Deep River, William “Fuzzy” and Trudy Creeron of Cromwell, and Chris and Steve Flynn of Shrewsbury, MA. She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews, friends, and extended family.

Visitation will be held Sunday November 1, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook, CT. Graveside service will be Monday November 2 at 11 AM at Fountain Hill Cemetery in Deep River, immediately followed by a reception at the Sobieski Club in Deep River. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Connecticut Humane Society by visiting https://cthumane.org/