Shirley J. Russell

Miss Shirley J. Russell, 89, of Portsmouth passed quietly in her sleep on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at the John Clarke Nursing Home in Middletown, RI. Born November 22, 1923 in Fall River, MA, she was the only daughter of the late John and Elsie (Sidebotham) Russell.Shirley worked as a housekeeper for most of her life. She was a member of the St. Paul's Episcopal Church and their Pastoral Team in Portsmouth, a former member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Fall River, MA, and an active participant in the Portsmouth Multi Purpose Senior Center.Shirley will always be remembered by her friends, neighbors, and family as a kind generous woman with a gentle soul, a wonderful sense of humor and a love of animals.Shirley is survived by her cousin, Joanne Brown and her husband, Donald of Portsmouth, RI, nine second cousins, nine third cousins, and one fourth cousin. She was predeceased by her cousin, Kenneth King.Shirley will be remembered at a memorial service at the John Clarke Retirement Home, 600 Valley Road, Middletown, RI on Thursday, January 24 at 2:00p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 2679 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871. Service JAN 24. 02:00 PM John Clarke Retirement Center Chapel 600 Valley Road Middletown, RI, US