Obituary of Esther Marjorie Russell

Russell, Esther Marjorie (nee Fenton) Died, encircled by love, at Kingston General Hospital in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 15. Reunited with the love of her life, the late Kenneth Edwin Russell (d. April 10, 2016). Loving mother of Celia Russell, Judy Russell (Rick Pim) and Andrew Russell, and daughter-in-law Judith Kallick. Adored grandma/grandmum of Peter Andersen, Joshua Kallick Russell and Sarah Kallick Russell. Mourned by her sister Charlotte Engler and nephew Roy Engler in Florida. Fondly remembered by her many dear relatives and friends in the U.S.A, Britain and Canada. Predeceased by her parents, Stanley William Fenton and Charlotte Cumings Ellis Fenton, and her sister, Virginia McEwan. Born in Summit, New Jersey, U.S.A. of an English father and an American mother, Esther grew up in New Jersey and California. She attended the New Jersey College for Women (Douglass College), Rutgers University, graduating with an art degree. She met Ken, an English-born Princeton post-doc on a blind date in her senior year. Esther was chair of four Christmas dances and needed to check to see that they were running smoothly. When asked her date preferences, she replied, “Anything with a car.” After Ken came to Queen’s in 1954 as a chemistry lecturer, their love affair continued to bloom. They married Aug. 13, 1955 in Pompton Lakes, NJ, in the eye of Hurricane Connie. After moving to Kingston, Esther, a perennial committee worker, volunteered alongside Ken as a member of the Agnes Etherington Art Centre Gallery Association, and the University Concerts Committee among many pursuits. For several years, she was a member of the Elizabeth Fry Society, teaching handicrafts to inmates at the Prison for Women and serving on its executive board. Esther’s lifelong artistic talents are evident in her costume design, needlepoint, quilting, knitting, sewing and crafts creations, many created at Monday sewing group with her good friends. She and Ken loved their life together, travelling, gardening, attending concerts. Their children’s friends were considered as extended family and the Russell household was host to countless barbecues on the deck and family celebrations. Esther adopted her last daughter in August: her roommate at St. Mary’s of the Lake, where she was undergoing rehab. She cherished her children and grandchildren, encouraging them in their pursuits. Her spirit lives on in them. The family extends heartfelt thanks on Esther’s behalf to the wonderful staff of Kidd 4, orthopedics, internal medicine, physiotherapy, social work and palliative care for their compassion, kindness, counsel and friendship over her final weeks. The family will host a celebration of Esther’s exceptional life on Saturday, October 29 from 2 to 5 pm, with remarks and potential outbursts of song at 3 pm. For location details and to RSVP, please email russellemf@gmail.com, or contact a family member. Donations in Esther’s memory may be made to the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, or to the Kiwanis Music Festival Excellence in Performance award that Esther and Ken supported. Make cheques payable to the Kiwanis Music Festival. In the memo line, add: In memory of Ken and Esther Russell. Send to: Box 883, Kingston, ON, K7L 4X8, attention Martha Clarke. We are all a part of the circle of love.