Grace Toling Russell

On Friday, October 22nd, Grace Russell, of Palm Beach, Florida, beloved wife of William Russell, returned to her Father in Heaven at the age of 48. Grace was born on February 18, 1973, to Imelda and James Toling in Baguio City in the Philippines. She received a Catholic education and excelled in academics. Her family taught her to love God and live her faith. After nursing school, she worked as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative for Servier, a job and a company she loved.
Fate brought her to America. Recruited to do nursing by a close friend here, she moved in with the Pascual family who opened their hearts as well as their doors, to Grace. She met her future husband Bill at Oak Crest Village Retirement Community in Parkville, Maryland. They were instantly in love, and Bill will tell you that they were in love since the dawn of time and with the power of the infinite. They were married in Towson on May 18, 2007. Grace chose the date because she wanted the number to end with 8, an infinity symbol. She made Bill and their children her life.
Her passion was caring for others, especially the elderly. She was famous for origami wrapping on Christmas gifts and her generosity. Everyone who met Grace, even for the briefest time, ware touched by her kind and gentle way. She was a conduit of Heavenly love.
She is survived by her "super mahal", her love. She called Bill, "Babe my life". They are so proud of the two children they raised together. Her daughter, Lydia Josephine Russell of Baltimore City, and Lydia's partner, Spencer Grundler and Stefan Hart Russell and his soulmate, Samantha Laubach, of Towson. They remain grief-stricken and were with her in Florida when she returned to the Lord. She loved her three "inaanaks"; all three Pasqual daughters were entrusted to her and Bill at Baptism. Her mother-in-law, Jessie Russell of Middletown NY, still calls her "Miss Sunshine", Her mother Imelda in the Philippines, and her brothers, James Jr and Stephan and their families are mourning the loss of Grace. Her Uncle Pedro, who named her Grace, and her cousin Evangeline, and Aunt Elvira, of Toronto, Canada, and their entire family shared Grace's journey via video call and are supporting Bill and their children in their grieving. Bills family called her sister and she is survived by Edwin and Patricia Russell of Myrtle Beach, SC; John and Diane Russell of Newburgh, New York; Robert and Alba Russell of Toms River, New Jersey; Patricia Russell of Bronxville, New York and Janet Barberio of Middletown, NY. She was loved by her many friends at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, and Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus, and International. She loved them even more. She worked with Bill in Miami for ChenMed and the Chen family brought her into their lives and miss her deeply. They called her the Baby Whisperer.
Here is a glimpse into her goodness, into her soul. Many times, every day, she would ask Bill, "Do you really love me?" He would always reply the same, "Of course I do". Then she would ask, "Since when?" Bill's reply, always the same. "Since the beginning of time." Grace then wanted to know this, "How much do you love me?" And his simple response, every time, every day, since they met, until moments before her catastrophic illness, was always the same. Infinity. They continue to share this conversation, in prayer and will do so forever. We are grateful to Father Bob Pope of St. Mark the Evangelist in Ft. Pierce, who anointed her and prayed with Bill to allow the perpetual light to shine upon both of them.
A Visitation Service will commence on Thursday, October 28 at 10 30 am and Memorial Mass at 11 AM. St Juliana Church, 4500 South Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL.
A Visitation service will commence on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at 9:30 am, Memorial Mass at 10 am at St. Francis Xavier, 13717 Cuba Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030, followed by Interment and then Salo Salo to follow at her home.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to Parishes of St. Juliana, St. Mark the Evangelist, St. Francis Xavier, and the Christopher Aguirre Foundation of Wellington would make Bill and Grace so happy.
Each night, at 6 PM, when the church bell tolled in Baguio, the family would pause and pray the Angelus.
"Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ."
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of Grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, full of Grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen
V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, full of Grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy Grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.
Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.