Sr. Dorothy Russell

Sister Dorothy Russell OP, of the Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, New York, died on February 2, 2026, in Dominican Convent Siena Hall. She was 99 years old.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, on March 13, 1926, Dorothy was the daughter of Thomas and Alice Clarke Russell. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1945, and received the name Sister Alice Thomas. She professed her first vows in 1947 and her final vows in 1952.

Sister Dorothy received a BS in Education from Fordham University, Bronx, NY, in 1955 and an MA in Library Science from St John University, NY, in 1964.

Sister Dorothy began her teaching ministry at St. Ignatius Day Nursery, NYC (1947-1948); St. Catherine of Siena School, NYC (1948-1952); St. Brendan School, Bronx, NY (1952-1953); St. John Chrysostom School, Bronx, NY (1953-1956); SS. Peter & Paul School, Easton, MD (1956-1969); and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Brooklyn, NY (1969-1977). From 1977 to 2010, Sister Dorothy served as Director of Religious Education at St. Jerome Parish in Largo, FL (1977-1989) and at Blessed Sacrament Parish (1989-2010) in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, FL. Sister Dorothy returned to Dominican Convent, Sparkill, in 2010. During her retirement, she participated in the life and mission of the Dominican Sisters at Siena Hall and was often seen with a book in hand.

Sister Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Alice Clark Russell. She is survived by her Dominican Sisters and Associates, and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Sparkill, NY on Thursday, February 5 at 11:00AM. Visitation is Thursday, February 5, 2026 from 9:30 to 10:30AM at Dominican Convent, 175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00AM. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery. Arrangements are by Higgins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Dominican Sisters at the above address, attention – Sr. Irene Ellis, Prioress.