Shirley Kelly Russell

Shirley Kelly Russell, 82, of Cortland, died Sunday, August 28, 2011 at Lake Vista Retirement Community. She was born December 28, 1928 in Warren, the daughter of Robert J. and Marguerite (Schadt) Kelly, and had lived in Trumbull County most of her life.

A graduate of Warren G. Harding High School and the Trumbull Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Mrs. Russell worked as a surgical nurse at Trumbull Memorial Hospital and at University Hospitals in Cleveland. She was an active member of North-Mar Church of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, where she had taught Sunday School and English as a Second Language classes. For forty years, she delivered meals and served on the Board of Directors for Mobile Meals. For thirty years, she was active with the Monday Afternoon Club in Warren. She volunteered as a Red Cross blood donor for twenty-five years, and with TAMPEEL, teaching environmental concerns to children in the Warren City and Trumbull County schools for nineteen years. She was a member of the Warren Library Association and did the calligraphy for the Sutliff museum exhibits. For her many contributions to our community, she was a past recipient of the I.B. Taylor Award as Volunteer of the Year.

While living in Florida, she served as a docent at Koreshan State Park, and volunteered in the Bonita Springs schools as well as at Gulf Coast Hospital.

A talented artist, she drew and painted. She liked to read and write, and did extensive research in family genealogy. She was an ardent and knowledgeable gardener, and enjoyed skiing.

Surviving are her husband, Dr. Theodore A. Russell, whom she married April 12, 1952; four children: David J. Russell of Walla Walla, Washington, Elizabeth A. (Steven) Friedman of Vienna, John R. (Shelley) Russell of Mason, Ohio, and Jennifer M. (Dominic) Colao of Springboro, Ohio; ten grandchildren: Leila, Jacob, Hallie, and Rachael Turner, Julia, Jeffrey, Leanna, Elisabeth, and Christina Russell, and Michael Colao; and a sister, Lois Strauss of Englewood, N.J. Preceding her in death is a daughter, Susan L. Russell, and a brother, Richard C. Kelly.

Services are 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 1, 2011 at North-Mar Church, with Rev. Myron Daum officiating. Friends may call 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at McFarland & Son Funeral Home, and 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the church. Material contributions may be made to any of the following: Salvation Army, 270 Franklin St. S.E., Warren, Ohio 44483; North-Mar Church of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, 3855 E. Market St., Warren, Ohio 44484; or Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Boardman, Ohio 44512.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral and Cremation Services, 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandcares.com to view this obituary and send condolences.