Obituary of Florence Russell

Florence E. Russell passed away after reaching the age of 100 on Sunday morning, September 4, 2016. She had celebrated her 100th birthday three weeks prior. She had strived to see her 100th birthday and had a great day enjoying the food, knowing all her guests, and relishing all the attention. After accomplishing her goal, the past weeks slowly saw her health weaken and her eventual passing. Florence was born in the family home in Lexington in 1916, one of 9 children born to the St. Clair and Rosemary (Drury) Mossman. Her father was a Nova Scotian immigrant and her mother had been born in Lexington. Florence was only 13 years old when The Stock Market Crash of 1929 marked the start of the Great Depression. She grew up in Lexington as a child then lived in Cambridge and Somerville, eventually graduating from Somerville High School in 1934. She married her husband David in July of 1943. They made their home in Cambridge until 1956, when they then moved to Burlington. Burlington was just a small farming community but was on the verge of huge growth spurt with the newly constructed Rt. 128 giving easy access to the city. She raised her two children and when they were old enough she went back to the workforce as an inspector at Publishers Book Binding in Winchester. She retired at the age of 62. Florence and Dave had a wonderful marriage. They complimented each other’s styles and character. Dave was the salesman, outgoing, social, and active in various clubs and organizations. Florence was more of a homebody, who loved her home and entertaining. She was more interested in family events, Sunday dinners, holidays, knitting, and caring for family and pets. It was this mutual respect and admiration that gave them such a strong marriage until Dave’s passing in 1997. They also made their children’s life growing up special. They had a cottage on Paugus Bay in Laconia for decades and it was the summer gathering place for their family and friends. They also enjoyed trips to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, all across the United States, and in their retirement years, winter trips to Florida. Not only did she live a long life, she lived a life filled with kindness, appreciation, family, and love. Florence was the loving wife of the late David C. Russell. She was the loving mother of Joyce S. Fisher & her husband William of Rio Rancho, NM, Keith T. Russell & his wife Mary of Woburn. She was the sister of Lois Garvey of Billerica, Evelyn Bartosiak of Quincy, the Late John Mossman, Charles Mossman, Ethel Remis, Marion Alger, Mildred Smith, and Elizabeth Norton. She was the proud grandmother of Lauren Childs & her husband Robert of Wilmington, and great grandmother of Jackson Childs. Funeral services will be held at The Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Friday, September 9 at 11 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Interment in Westview Cemetery, Lexington. Memorials in Florence’s name may be made to the North East Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970. For directions obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net