Obituary of Margaret Russell

Margaret "Peggy" Weed Russell, 92, of Montclair, died on Friday, September 7. The family will celebrate her life on Saturday, September 15, beginning with a memorial service at 12:00 noon at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 73 South Fullerton Ave., Montclair. Born and raised in Montclair, and a lifelong 3rd generation resident, she was the daughter of Newell P. Weed and Gretchen Greenwood Weed; her father was a highly-decorated officer in WWI, and his brother Walker Weed is listed on the Edgemont War Memorial. She graduated from Montclair High School and Bennett Junior College, and was married to the late Graham L. Russell. Mrs. Russell worked for Unity Institute in Montclair, on its Concert Series. She later worked for 18 years as Director of Community Affairs for Union Camp Corporation in Wayne, NJ. During those years she served on the Boards of Directors for many civic organizations, including the Montclair State College Advisory Council, the North Essex Arts Council, and Willowbrook Ministries, where she served as President in 1972 and 1973. She received awards for extraordinary service from the Passaic Valley United Way, Explorer Scouts, the Ridgewood YMCA's Tribute to Women in Industry, and others. After retirement, Mrs. Russell served on the Board of Directors of Lexington Management Corp. She was a docent at the Montclair Historical Society and at the Montclair Art Museum, and she was a member and volunteer at Van Vleck House and Gardens. She enjoyed traveling, visiting with her many friends, and spending time with her grandchildren; she loved books, music, her various cats and dogs, and she delighted in vigorous political discussions. She loved her full life and the lives of those around her. A lifelong member of St. Luke's Church, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married, she also served on their vestry, the altar guild, and at their Second Time Around Shop. Mrs. Russell is survived by her son, Gray Russell and his wife Linda of Montclair, and her daughter, Gretchen Russell Gammons and her husband Edward (Ned) Gammons of Warren, RI; her grandchildren, Anne Gammons Crocco (husband Alexander), David Russell Gammons, and Debby Gammons Brown (husband Christopher); her step-granddaughter Sandie Jeffers Gillespie (husband Douglass); and five great-grandchildren: Gordon, Michael, Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Tess. She was predeceased by her son David Lewis Russell II, and her brother Newell P. Weed, Jr. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Luke's Episcopal Church (info@slechurch.org); or, The Nature Conservancy (NJ), (www.nature.org).