Katherine Claire "Claire" Russell

Katherine Claire Pirani Russell, known as Claire, died leaving behind a legacy of love, community service, and advocacy. She was the wife of John J. Russell, with whom she shared a remarkable journey of friendship and family. Claire and John were high school friends who married in 1962, and celebrated their 63rd anniversary in January 2025.
Claire was a devoted mother to twin daughters, Patricia Russell (married to Doug Strott) of New Hampshire and Katherine Russell (married to George Askew) of Maryland and grandmother to Morgan Askew, Turner Shaw (married to Emily Kent), and Ian Askew.
The only child to Katherine (Zambernardi) and Lally Pirani of Somerville, Massachusetts, Claire was a proud graduate of Somerville's public schools and Harvard-Radcliffe College (Class of 1955).
Claire broke barriers as the first female security officer at a closed research facility in the United States, serving at the Instrumentation Laboratory at MIT from 1956 to 1962.
Claire and John married in 1962 and initially moved to Long Island, New York, where John was engaged in high energy physics research. They returned to Massachusetts in 1963, residing sequentially in Arlington, Marion, and Needham, MA.
Claire dedicated herself to family and community service. She initiated and chaired the first town-wide parent volunteer program in the Arlington public school system and later became a local and state leader for the League of Women Voters of Marion and Massachusetts, serving three terms on the State Board. Her advocacy was deeply rooted in participatory democracy, focusing on voting and civil rights. Even into her 90s, Claire organized letter-writing campaigns to Congress advocating for humane and family-centered immigration policies, with a special concern for the treatment and care of immigrant children at U.S. border facilities.
Since 2013, Claire lived at North Hill Senior Center in Needham, where she and John enjoyed an active social and civic life. Claire spearheaded a household and clothing donation program supporting recent immigrants. She also initiated and chaired an immigrant rights group at North Hill. Claire enjoyed gardening and flowers, leading to establishing and chairing a resident-led flower arranging team that provided fresh flowers in many public areas of campus each week.
Claire found her life meaningful and rewarding, driven by her passions for family and community activism. She made life more beautiful and safe for many, whether they knew her personally or benefited from her passionate and effective activism. Her legacy is one of love, dedication, and unwavering advocacy for the rights and dignity of all people.
A private ceremony will be hosted by the family at a later date. The family suggests donations to the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts or a non-profit cause that is important to you in remembrance of Claire.