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Sylvia Sandra Russell

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Jamestown High School

Sylvia Russell Obituary

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Sylvia Russell, age 82, of Virginia Beach, passed away on April 30, 2025. She was born Sylvia Sandra Mistretta on November 7, 1942 in Jamestown, New York and has been a resident of Hampton Roads since the 1960s. Sylvia was employed by The Lawson Companies in Virginia Beach for 25 years before retiring. Sylvia was a wonderful loving mother, wife, friend and "Nonnie" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed and her memory sincerely cherished.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Mary (Inserra) Mistretta, two older brothers Francis "Pucky" Mistretta and Marion "Marty" Mistretta, and her daughter Sheila Ross Saraney. She is survived by her husband Wayne Russell, son William "Billy" Ross, daughter Rhonda Ross, her grandchildren Holly Ross, Jamie Ross, Ben Ross and Katherine Carlson as well as nine adoring great-grandchildren.

This world is not Conclusion

A Species stands beyond

Invisible, as Music

But positive, as Sound

~Emily Dickinson

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Recent Activity

August 1, 2025

Judy Johnson posted to the memorial.

June 26, 2025

Fil Arenas posted to the memorial.

June 26, 2025

Jack Perry posted to the memorial.

8 Entries

Judy Johnson

August 1, 2025

Santo let me know that we've lost another cousin. Sylvia was the last of three siblings. She fairly sparkled and was warm and deeply kind.

Fil Arenas

June 26, 2025

Sylvia,
Thank you for filling in for my Mom after she passed in 1998. Your love was always present and your brownies every year were every bit as good as hers! I take comfort in knowing that you are in Heaven with your best friend (Annette) again along with Dad, Ronnie, & Sheila. You will never be forgotten and don´t worry, we will look in on Wayne from time-to-time! Love always, Fil & Zo´e Arenas

Jack Perry

June 26, 2025

We are going to miss the visits from Sylvia and Wayne. I think we first met Sylvia while living in Tennessee shortly after their marriage. Then many visits from them while living in PA, they were on their way to Jamestown, NY to visit her family. Since retiring back in Edenton, NC we were pleasured by many visits from them. Sylvia quickly became a member of our Nixon and Perry families in Rocky Hock, NC. We made RH sausages and NC bbq for many years. Our family loved Sylvia as our friend and made her an official cousin like her husband Wayne. Rest in peace my friend. Jack, Kathryn, Jack Jr, Jason and Judson Perry.

Bonny Limberg Whidden

June 19, 2025

My dear friend Sylvia and I have been friends for 73 years and she is missed tremendously. Condolences to her sweet husband, Wayne.

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Bonny whidden

June 17, 2025

My heart is broken. Sylvia has been one of my dearest friends since I was about 7 years old and I´m now going on 84. Her and Wayne spent many weeks with my late husband and I , traveling together. . I miss my husband, her and Wayne so much they were part of our life for years. Now Sylvia and my dear husband Joe are in Heaven together. Wayne and I are left behind. I miss them so much. Love you my friend, Wayne.

Nicki Kopassis

June 16, 2025

Such a lovely soul. I will never forget how Wayne adored her so much. Listening to him talk about how she enjoyed her high heeled shoes...but he was so worried that she would hurt herself. I am so sorry for your loss, Wayne - and my heart goes out to the rest of the family.

Beautiful Sylvia, may your memory be eternal.