Genevieve Russell, known to many as Gene, died Tuesday, March 21, 2017 of natural causes. Gene was the daughter of Michael and Antonia Boris and the widow of Frederick W Russell. She was a lifelong resident of Lawrence and a member of the 1937 graduating class of Lawrence High School. After high school, she continued her education at Macintosh School of Business. Gene was employed in the offices of the Vermont Tea & Butter Company and Wessell’s Laundry. She interrupted her career to raise a family and returned to work years later at Stuarts Department Store in Lawrence until its closure. She had a kind, generous nature and always put the needs of her family ahead of her own. The patient and loving care she gave her husband during his declining years was especially remarkable. She was an honorable, humble and modest woman, a good wife, mother and grandmother. Her wonderful optimism, her laughter, her intuitive appreciation for beauty and music will be greatly missed. She was granted the precious gift of a long and contented life and she made the most of what God gave her. Her family members include her sons, Frederick M Russell, William J Russell & his wife Jeanne M. and Gerald R. Russell.  She also leaves her grandchildren, Victoria J. and her boyfriend, Jon Staples and Andrew W Russell, and several nieces and nephews including Catherine Siegel, Gail Jackson, Karen Searles and Donna and Jack Dainowski. The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Haverhill Crossing for their kindness and support. Know that you made Gene’s final years as rich as possible.

Family and friends are invited to visiting hours on Monday March 27, 2017 from 3 to 6 pm at The Charles F Dewhirst Funeral Home 80 Broadway, Methuen.  Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday March 28 at the funeral Home. Burial will be in Bellevue Cemetery,  Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Lawrence Public Library as it was an important part of Gene’s life or buy a good bottle of wine and spend some quality time enjoying it with your family. ​To leave an online condolence, please go to www.dewhirstfuneral.com.

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