Meredith Fonda Russell

Howdy! At the direction of Sarah, a new site has been created for friends and family of Meredith. Please visit www.meriwi.net to post messages. The site is new and improved and features a nice bulletin board.

"Don't you hear it? she asked & I shook my head no & then she started to dance & suddenly there was music everywhere & it went on for a very long time & when I finally found words all I could say was thank you."

Meredith, knowing that someone like you existed in the world got me through so many dark times. And now, I sing your song silently to myself and laughcry love for you. May you know just a hint of the imprint you've left on our hearts.

To others who knew Meredith and Sarah,

I only knew Meredith briefly, when she was a little girl selling girl scout cookies. Of course I bought some--she was too forthright and sparkling-eyed to ignore.

I had not seen her or her mother for years, when I went to Kinko's in Denver last week. I recognized Sarah and said hi, and asked how her daughter was doing. Sarah was at a loss for words for a moment. Then she told me simply that Meredith had died, and gave me the...

Meredith,

Even though you may not have known it, you touched my life. You changed me. I am a better person for having known you. You overflowed with an endless quixotic passion for life. One gets to be jaded living on this planet but you denied and defied the world’s caustic obstacles to happiness in a way that is truly inspiring. I deeply regret losing touch with you. I remember standing with you on the roof of the Bates building at Sarah Lawrence and plotting a beautiful tribute...

A little more than three years ago I started hearing about your life throughout my work day. I am fortunate enough to be in the camaraderie of your mom (who’s love for you has no restrictions) who has shared your walk (or should I say sprint) on the course of your life with me.

I had figured out a long time ago that your energy is infinite.

One of the most important essences of your life I hope to remind myself of every day – fear creates limitations; your indifference...

Dearest Mer,

How do I begin to write my thoughts when I have been sharing them with you daily in my heart? Will words express what range of emotions I am feeling? We have all been so blessed to have learned from your free spirit, bold courage, dedication to justice, forgiving heart, love for life, creative soul. . . Daily, I evaluate how I am living my life and how I can live as fully as you had. As I struggle for answers, I hear you giggling in my ear with your encouragment saying...

By Michele Ames, Rocky Mountain News January 7, 2003 Student dedicated short life to learning, helping others Until the minute she died, Meredith Russell really lived. The 20-year-old spent her short two decades traveling the world and serving the Denver community where she grew up. She died in mid-December in New Zealand. "She really did have this sense of wanting to serve. From the time she was very little, she wasn't in it for herself," said Sarah Schoentgen, Ms. Russell's...

Meredith,
Tricia told me of your passing. I have not seen you since freshman year of high school. But I still remember you as clear as my memories of the sea. You were exuberant and as everyone else has said, "full of life." I admired you then and thought you were the sweetest, most outgoing person, and very unique in everything you accomplished. You never judged me or anyone else and you stood up for justice. You definetly stood out in my time at GW and I have nothing but the fondest...

Nicole Banowetz, a life-long, close friend to Meredith, took the attached extraordinary photograph at Burning Man, 2002. Meredith was dancing and spinning, totally happy, fearless and free, in her Burning Man post office shirt. Thank you, Nicole, for this treasure.