Marjorie Alair Russell

Marjorie Alair Russell, 88, of Walla Walla passed away on March 7, 2013 at Park Manor Rehabilitation Center from the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born November 1, 1924 in Dayton, Washington, the eldest of four siblings, to Clive & Ruth Hunt Badgley. Marge graduated from Dayton High School in 1942 & married Dallas Russell on June 11, 1942 in Lewiston, Idaho and together they had 4 children.

Being a product of the depression era, she grew up to be hard working and resourceful. She cooked many meals for harvest crews in her home and in the field cook trailer. She was an exceptional seamstress & made most of her children’s clothes while they were in school. She was active in the PTA at Washington Elementary School & Garrison Jr. High. Later, she worked from home doing monogramming & alterations and watching her grandsons, Peter Russell & Jonathan Pitner. Her last employment was at Whitman College in the kitchen of the old Student Union building where she loved the interaction with the students.

She enjoyed her yard & flowers and was always up for a game of pinochle or cribbage. She crocheted afghans & lap robes by the dozens and distributed them to everyone she knew and those she didn’t know. She took pride in providing all the cakes for her family’s special occasions.

“Gramma Marge” had a special bond with her granddaughter, Kristi Maiuri & grandson, Austin. The family will be forever grateful for the superior care & respect she received from Krista & all the others at Park Manor.

Marge was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Shirley; husband, Dallas; grandson, Jonathan Pitner; brother, Don Badgley & sisters, Mary Lee Huff and Dorothy Sousley. She is survived by her daughters, Linda Bond of San Diego, CA, Dianne (Bob) Pitner of Damascus, OR; son, Don Russell of Walla Walla; her grandchildren, Russell & David Bond, Pete & Alison (Camp) Russell, Krista Maiuri and Brett & Patrick Connelly; 12 great grandchildren and numerous nieces & nephews.

The Memorial Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 2:00 PM at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA with Rev. Steve Morris officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice through the funeral home.