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Janice Lee Russell

Posted 2024-01-14 by mhenderson
Published by Today's News Herald on Jan. 14, 2024 -
Lake Havasu City, Arizona -

It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of
our mom Janice Lee Russell on Dec. 19, 2023. She is survived by her
sons, Stephen Russell and James Russell, daughters Jill Gaffney and
Wendy Russell, grandchildren Cameron, Ashley, and Emma Russell. Jennifer
Wells and Robert Gaffney, great-grandchildren Larry and Angel Wells,
son-in-law Robert Gaffney and her daughter-in-law Shelley Russell.
Janice was predeceased by her husband James Russell, son Jeffrey
Russell, sister Jeanne Winkler, mother Dorothy Brackett and father Jed
Brackett.

Our mom was one of the pioneers of Lake Havasu City, along with her
husband James. They were one of the many people who were flown into Lake
Havasu to buy land and move their families to Lake Havasu back in the
1970s. She was known for her hospitality; our house was the house to be
at not only for her amazing cooking but making her home feel comfortable
and open to all. Yes, she was that mom that made yellow Tupperware bowls
full of spaghetti and food galore, but man, she made the biggest mess in
the kitchen.

She was the first restaurant and events manager of the London Bridge
Resort when it first opened and hired both her daughters and many of
their friends to launch the opening of the restaurant inside the resort.
She later went on to work for the State of Arizona alongside her best
buddy Jeanne Steele. Boy oh boy, the two of them in the same room you
could hear laughs miles away. It was recently that we shared the news of
Jeanne's passing by with Mom.

She created many great memories with family, extended family, and the
many friends she made along the way. We are reminded by her passing that
when someone you love becomes a memory, the memories become treasures.
My family cannot thank the staff and owner of Serenity Assisted Living
for the love and care they gave to our mom. Julie and her staff are
amazing and know that Mom felt at home in your home.





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