Opal Russell
December 29, 1920 - March 21, 2011
Opal Mary Ann Russell (Underhill) passed away peacefully at the Campbell River Hospital, Campbell River, BC on Monday, March 21, 2011, the first day of Spring at the age of 90.
Born on December 29, 1920 in Campbellton, NB, she was the daughter of the late Hilda and John (Jack) Underhill. She will be dearly missed by her daughter, Cheryl Fletcher of Victoria, BC, her son, Robert Russell (Nancy) of Moncton, NB, and grandchildren Matthew and Nicholas Fletcher of Victoria and Steven Russell of La Baie, PQ. She is also survived by her brother, Glenn Garrish (Betty) of Miramichi and sister-in-law Mildred Underhill of Moncton, NB. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Ernest (Scotty) Russell, with whom she shared her life for 61 years. She is also predeceased by her brothers, Hubert (Hub) of Campbellton, NB, Grant Underhill of Campbellton, NB and Karl Underhill of Moncton, NB, as well as grandsons Justin Scott Russell and Devon James Russell of Campbell River, BC. She was recently predeceased by her close friend and neighbour, Simeon Driscoll. Thank you to Brandi DeBelser-Little, Darlene Boise, and Dr. Kerry Baerg for your loving care.
Opal's life took her from Campbellton, NB to Campbell River, BC in 1966, when she and Scotty ventured to the West Coast to raise their family. Most of her working career was in the Reforestation - Gordon Road Facility mentoring students and planting seedlings for reforestation in BC. She continued her friendship with long-time co-worker and friend, Carol Stevens, into her retirement.
Opal loved camping, (but not boating) and spent many weekends travelling with her family around Vancouver Island. Her favorite campsite was Ralph River. In their retirement, she and Scotty enjoyed many trips to Mexico in their motor home, meeting up with friends and spending winters on the beach. Opal had a love of crafting, decorating, knitting for her family and others, and was an avid gardener. She enjoyed the sport of curling and had a great love of books, reading into her final years with the joy and clarity of a much younger person.
At Opal's request, there will be no service; however, to honour Opal's memory the family would ask that you perform an act of kindness or make a donation to a worthy cause in her memory. Remember her by taking a walk along the beautiful ocean, because that is how she started each morning, with a view of the ocean and her cup of coffee. When walking along the Seawalk, stop and rest on "Scotty's Bench" near the owl at Rotary Beach and think of her. When purchasing groceries at Thifty Foods, buy one of the pre-bagged "gifts" for the foodbank, as she so often did. Plant a tree, nurture a garden or show kindness to a child, because these are the things that will remind you of her. Opal always had a cheerful, upbeat and positive outlook, and always saw the humour in everything. For that she will be truly missed
Donations may also be made to the Alzheimer's Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Children's Hospital of Vancouver, the local food bank, or the Diabetes Society, as these were all organizations that were close to her heart.