Marjorie Alice Gromer Russell

RUSSELL, Marjorie Alice Gromer, 88, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2009, at the Laurels of Bon Air. She was the widow of Colonel Joe Brent Russell (USMC retired) deceased. She is survived by her daughters, JoAnn Nicholson of Richmond, her husband, Bill, and their daughter, Catherine "Cat"; Jane Brafford of Sanford, N.C., her son, Brent and his wife, Daina; Nancy Osborne of Greensboro, N.C., her husband, Zack and their daughter, Elizabeth. A Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Marjorie served as a nurse in Europe during World War II in the 47th field hospital. For the courage she displayed in preventing panic among the patients, she was awarded the Bronze Star as charge nurse of the field hospital during the shelling of Normandy. Later, her hospital was captured by the S.S. during the Battle of the Bulge. When the soldiers confiscated all of the prisoners' valuables, Marjorie was able to slip her engagement ring under her tongue to save it. She married her special marine in 1947, having been separated from him for five years during the war while he served in the Pacific. Marjorie again worked as an R.N. in Florida for several years. A memorial service will be held for Mrs. Russell at Crestwood Presbyterian Church, East Campus, on Jahnke Road on Sunday, January 25, at 3 p.m. Interment will be in Winter Park, Fla., beside her beloved husband of 44 years. Memorial donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or a charity of your choice.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.