Barbara Russell

Barbara Russell, age 96, a resident of Havertown, Pa., passed away on November 4, 2024, at her home with family. She was the loving wife of Earl G. Russell, with whom she shared 68 years of marriage before his passing in 2017.
She was born in Upper Darby, Pa., a daughter of Lorin and Josephine (Whitford) Pierucci. Known for her dedication to her family, her fondness of practical jokes and good humor, Barbara's life was one of boundless love for her family.
As a Depression-era child and young adult, she worked in her family's well-known Upper Darby Book Store on Garrett Road. With her marriage to Earl in 1948, she set her sights on raising a family, first in West Philadelphia and then in Havertown, where she lived for more than 65 years. As a volunteer with the school PTA, Scouts and other local groups, she was a cheerful, hardworking, well-known neighborhood presence. She worked for Weight Watchers for many years, and operated her own home-based collectibles business. In her senior years, she turned her living room on Orchard Road into a sewing center and organized local women to help make dresses for impoverished children in Africa.
At the center of her life was her committed relationship with God and her devotion to her church. Barbara and Earl were longtime pillars at Belmont Baptist Church (now New Hope Christian Church) when it was first located in West Philadelphia, and then when it moved to Broomall in the 1950s. She led prayer groups, taught Sunday School, organized events and memorably hosted numerous social gatherings and day trips. She read the Bible and devotions daily, and in her later years was comforted by recordings of Christian sermons and music.
Barbara's quick wit and love of a good (clean) joke was never more on display than when she and Earl attended parties. More than a few hosts were surprised hours after the guests had departed by a 3 a.m. ringing alarm clock or a short-sheeted bed, the work of Barbara and her partner in crime. It was her way of showing her love.
She sewed dresses with her daughters and taught her sons how to do crossword puzzles. She wrote riotous excuse notes when her children missed school. She hunted for bargains at garage sales with her late sister, Robirdie Sharp, and built a treasured collection of ceramic and glass art pieces. She cooked pancakes on frequent family camping trips. She always won at dominos and Uno and Dutch Blitz.
With Earl, Barbara traveled the world on road trips and vacations to every state in America, and more than 50 countries – all marked on a map that hung in her den. They memorably brought along their entire family for a week in the Caribbean to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. She saw Paris from the Eiffel Tower, rode a camel in Israel, shivered in Norway and got lost while wandering the streets of Liverpool. Always, she returned to Havertown with photographs and memories to be shared with friends and family.
Barbara is survived by her children, Barbara J. Wells and her husband Jerry, of Honeybrook, Pa.; Rev. Earl (Bud) G. Russell Jr. and his wife Carol, of Dover, Del.; Donald W. Russell and his wife Theresa Conroy, of Rennes, France; Blaine Q. Russell of Nottingham, Pa.; and Brenda C. Russell and her partner, Jack Libhart, of Downingtown. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Kristin Russell of Jersey City, N.J.; and Heather (Santamaria) of Catonsville, Md.; three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her grandson, Scott Wells.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 2 p.m. at New Hope Christian Church, 551 Paxon Hollow Rd, Broomall, Pa. Burial will be held privately in Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Bucks County.
In Lieu of flowers contributions may be made to New Hope Christian Church- 551 Paxon Hollow Rd, Broomall, PA 19008
OR
Fiorenza's Food For Friends (F4)- PO Box 89, Downingtown, PA 19335
Arrangements entrusted to Szpindor-Meyers Funeral Home, P.C.
Condolences may be made by visiting www.meyersfh.com