Delores Mae Russell

Delores Mae Russell passed away peacefully the morning of July 12, 2024 with family by her side in Medford, OR

Delores was born on May 1, 1930 in Eugene OR to Mae and Eugene Butler. She was the 2nd of three children. Her father was in the logging business and as a child the family lived in Eugene, Newport, Siletz, and Pleasant Hill. Delores graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in 1949 and attended Eugene Beauty School, receiving her Cosmetology license in 1950.

On Sunday January 29, 1950 Delores married her next-door neighbor boyfriend, Benjamin D. Russell at the Dexter OR Baptist Church. They settled in Eugene OR where they started their family. Bradley Ben was born April 16, 1952 and Marquita (Keta) Kay was born February 25, 1954,

In 1957 the family moved to Bend, OR where Delores started their first Beauty Salon; a two-chair operation in theirrenevated garage.

In 1963 the family relocated to Salem, OR and she opened their second business, Red Carpet Beauy Salon. The business quickly flourished and they opened two additional locations.

In 1989, Delores and Ben took a big step, purchasing property in South Salem where they designed, built, and established Russells Salon and Day Spa. This was Delores` `Dream Come True`! She loved every hard-working minute spent at the Salon. At the young age of 89, still involved most every day, the Salon closed due to Covid and Delores decided it was time to sell.

While actively operating the business, Delores and Ben enjoyed vacationing with her brother Bob and wife Dorothy at their shared

beach home in Yachats and attending Oregon State Beaver ball games. Delores and Ben also enjoyed many trips to Mexico and Alaska,.

Ben passed away on August 17, 1999.

In 2001 Delores reconnected with a childhood classmate, Joseph Weslow and together they traveled to the East Coast, Argentina, British Columbia, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Mexico, cruised Panama Canal and Alaska. They also enjoyed time spent at Whale Point in DePoe Bay and attending Oregon State Beaver games and numerous Beaver Bowl games.

Joe passed away October 11,2023.

In 2023 Delores sold her home in Salem, OR moving to Medford OR to be closer to family. She enjoyed her time living at Northridge Sr Living. In June 2024, due to declining health she moved to the Valley View Home where she received the excellent personal one on one care she needed.

Delores was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ben, brother Bob, sister Karen, companion Joseph. She is survived by her two children Brad (Nan) of Talent, OR and Keta (Jim) of Salem, OR four grandchildren and eight grandchildren, two nephews of note, Ray of Oceanside, WA and his brother Deston of Grants Pass OR, and her sister-in-law Dorothy of Eugene OR.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to her private caregivers and to Valley View Home for their dedication, kindness, loving care and most of all the special friendships that she created with each of you. Kathy, Bree, Lydia, Rosa and Cecelia of Salem, OR. and Rachel, Julie, Deanna, Christina of Medford OR. Paul, Rebecca, Jenny and Jean at Valley View Home Medford, OR.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life on September 21, 2024 at Our Saviour Lutheran Church 1770 Boone Rd SE Salem. OR from 1:00 until 3:00. Followed shortly after with a No Host gathering at b2 Taphouse and Brewery 1170 Boone Rd SE Salem OR.