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Sarah Russell Obituary
Sarah Louise Russell, 59, of Niantic died on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. She was born on Sunday, December 4, 1955 in Hanover, NH and was the daughter of the late Dr. Donald and Elizabeth Russell of Kensington. Sarah attended the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor. She graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University, majoring in occupational therapy, and subsequently earned her juris doctor at Yale Law School. During a successful legal career, Sarah worked for Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Brenner, Saltzman, Wallman, & Goldman; Pepe & Hazard; and Fleet Bank. Later, she found joy in pro bono legal work as well as in volunteering with Care & Share, for whom she delivered food to the needy. Sarah had a deep love of family and friends. In her younger years, she was an avid skier. More recently, she liked to spend her free time visiting loved ones, boating, reading, and relaxing on the beach. She leaves her husband, Robert Mahoney of Niantic; sons Samuel Mahoney, John Beers, and Theodore Beers; step-daughters Casey Mahoney and Sarah Mahoney; brothers Andrew and Matthew Russell; and 17 nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Care & Share in Niantic, CT, or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The family will receive relatives and friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2015, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic. A memorial service for family and close friends will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, at the funeral home. Online condolonces may be expressed at www.neilanfuneralhome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Sarah Russell
Sponsored by the family.
4 Entries
Connie Packard Kamedulski
August 25, 2015
Sarah was one of the first people I met as a new junior at Chaffee. I will always remember how friendly and welcoming she was to me, especially at Saturday lunches when there were very few Chaffee girls to sit with. I am very sorry to hear of her passing.
Anne Kenny
May 23, 2015
Sarah's generous spirit and incredibly open nature was amazingly compelling. The smiles in these photos are as I remember Sarah always. Never negative in word or attitude. I will miss running into Sarah in the water and chatting about various things from politics and history to pedal versus paddle kayaks, always a welcome diversion from the splashings of kids. Sarah showed such gracious generosity and kindness to a family member of mine and her children in opening one of her homes to them when they needed a place to land for a short time, it was very much appreciated. Her son Sam has showed that same generous spirit to my children on occasion while they bounced around the neighborhood, so it will live on. We will miss Sarah's smile and energy this summer.
Anne, Jilian and Eoin.
Tom Mahoney
May 23, 2015
Rose Aitken
May 22, 2015
Sarah's kindness and generosity to my family as a friend and neighbor is something we are so grateful for. Her uncommon consideration for people, even strangers is something my family has learned from and will 'pay it forward'. One of the best gifts I have ever received was from Sarah. I had always wanted an outdoor Adirondack chair but was never able to afford one. Sarah found a double one for two, refurbished it, and painted it purple because she thought that was my favorite color. She genuinely cared and had a beautiful heart. She could not do enough for people and wanted to bring happiness to everyone. She would not let the physical part of her illness get in her way. As a woman much younger, I envied her energy, her positive outlook for the future, and her determination to live a full life. I will remember her as I saw her the last time: waving goodbye, her long brown hair swinging, lightly running down South Pine, hurrying home to dinner with her family. ~ Rose, Jade, Isabella, and Curtis
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Memorial Events
for Sarah Russell
May
24
Visitation
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home48 Grand Street, Niantic, CT 06357
May
24
Memorial service
4:00 p.m.
Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home48 Grand Street, Niantic, CT 06357
Funeral services provided by:
Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home48 Grand Street, Niantic, CT 06357
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