Lisa Marie Russell

On November 1st, 2023, Lisa Marie Russell was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was only 54 years old and had waged an 11 year battle with breast cancer, the last 5 of which was metastatic (treatable but not curable). She was at heaven's door multiple times throughout her life, even prior to her cancer diagnosis, but her will to live and love of life prevailed. After the most amazing life filled with love and laughter, this infectiously joyous soul who fought so hard for so long to stay with us had to leave us.

She was born and raised on Long Island in New York and met her soul mate Rich in 1989 when she was 19 years old during her sophomore year at SUNY at Stony Brook college. They became inseparable and were married in 1994. As Rich introduced her to the outdoors she began referring to herself as a country mouse as she adored the peace and tranquility of mountains, lakes, rivers and beaches. This influenced the rest of their lives as they chose to relocate to the Shenandoah Valley in 2002 and then near the north Georgia mountains in 2009. Her happy place was their cabin in the mountains on the Toccoa River.

She enjoyed hiking...with Rich in tow trying to make sure her clumsiness didn't prove fatal. She loved fishing...and wasn't shy about telling people she usually caught more fish than Rich. She loved riding her mountain bike and e-bike...occasionally running into trees and falling but insisting they were not true crashes or falls due to extenuating circumstances. She had a passion for marathon running for charitable causes...she tripped and flew across the finish line once dressed as Supergirl with her cape flying that was broadcast live on a Jumbotron, recorded and posted online. She would gleefully play the video of this fall for her friends and loved ones while she laughed at herself and say "only me" as she giggled with an ear to ear grin. As her health deteriorated and outdoor pursuits diminished, her soul was nourished daily by just chatting and connecting with all of those she loved...talking was her favorite.

The best way to explain Lisa's personality is to say she was full of unbridled love and joy with more than a generous splash of sweetness, spunk and sassiness. Her petite body belied her larger than life personality and overflowing spirit. She was a tiny dynamo that lived life to its fullest and brightened every room she walked into.

She never met a stranger, never lost her child like joy, and never stopped wearing her heart on her sleeve. She had a boundless desire to form nurturing bonds and relationships with everyone she met, especially with children. She made life fun and she kept us all laughing and feeling loved, whether you had known her for years or you were someone she just met, up until her last day. She brought immense happiness and inspiration to those who are now mourning her loss, and we all are better for having known her.

Towards the end she said she had the most wonderful, beautiful life and she didn't understand how she was so lucky to have so many people in her life that loved her. It was you honey, it was always you, it was impossible not to love you, we were the lucky ones.

Lisa is survived by her husband Rich who doted on her and cherished every moment with her whether it was in sickness or in health, and she was preceded in death by and is now reunited with their angel babies, Sara, Jonathon, Travis and Emily. She is also preceded in death by and survived by countless loving friends and family members, each of which she loved dearly.

A memorial service has not been announced but may occur at a future date. In lieu of flowers please consider donations in honor of this truly special soul to St. Jude, Make a Wish Foundation or Casting for Recovery.