Jessie Russell

Jessie Russell, wife of Edwin and proprietor of Russell’s Nursery, “on the corner of West Main St. and Monaghan Ave.” in Middletown, died Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at home. She was 101.

    The daughter of the late Gaetano and Rose DeStefano, she was born August 13, 1922 in The Bronx, N.Y.

    Jessie was a hard worker and the queen of the merchandisers.  She believed in the power of prayer.  She was not part of our family tree – she was the main trunk that held us all together. Through those she touched and loved, she will live on forever.  We continue our lives passing on her legacy of caring love, kindness and understanding that she showed us by example.

     She was devoted to Ed, their family and community. She was a fierce competitor.  She learned to play an elite game of bridge from the daily newspaper and had the ability to read people and cards strategically. In her head, she would complete the daily Cryptoquip.  She was an active participant in Cursillo weekends.  

    She was married to Edwin Russell on January 4, 1942 and they celebrated 60 years of marriage on January 4, 2002. 

Her beloved children include Edwin Jr. (Patricia Lee) recently deceased on November 3, 2023, John (Diane), Robert (Alba), Patricia (Mary Jane), Janet, William (XiuQin), and her “7th child”, Philip Gulotta.

    She is survived by her sisters Florence Pedro and Dolores Finan.  She was predeceased by Louise, Angelina and Leonard. 

   She was proud to say that she had 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Her cousins and many nieces and nephews loved her like their own mother.  

    Friends may call Sunday, November 26, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, 26 Grove St., Middletown.

    A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, November 27, at 9:30 a.m., at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 149 Cottage St, Middletown. Burial will be in the family plot in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Middletown.

    Arrangements have been entrusted to the Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, Middletown, NY. 

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