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Russell, Judith L.
Judith L. Russell, 74, of Denver, Colo., died Sept. 4, 2012, in Swedish Medical Center after a series of strokes. A visitation will be held at Goettsch Funeral Home in Anamosa on Oct. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. A private family burial will be held at a later date.
She was preceded in death by her father, Glen Russell, and mother, Wilma Russell.
Judith is survived by her brother, James Russell, and his wife, Mary; her niece, Amy Geiger (Stuart); her nephews, Matthew and Curt Russell; great-nephews, Ryne, Benjamin and Andrew; and great-nieces, Jessica, Autumn, Hanna, Taylor and Olivia, all of Cedar Rapids; cousin, David (Lisa) Vermadahl of Vinton and Joe (Vicki) of Duncan, Okla.
Judith was a graduate of Anamosa High School and the University of Iowa, where she was a Mortar Board member and was proud to have sung in the Old Gold Singers along with Simon Estes. She received her master's degree from Syracuse University. She was assistant dean of women at Ripon College, where she was in the Three Penny Opera, starring Harrison Ford, who was a student there. She then was the Dean of Women at Wagner College on Staten Island, N.Y. Then she went to Ohio State University as an assistant dean of students.
She then moved to Denver to become Dean of Students at Colorado Women's College, later named Temple Buell University. From there she became the executive director of the Denver YWCA. Later, she enjoyed working for the City Wide Banks before retirement. She was a prolific poet and limerick writer and voracious reader.
She played in four golf leagues, her favorite pastime. She was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes, Denver Broncos and Rockies follower. They have lost one of their most ardent fans.
Judith was a true Auntie Mame to her nieces and nephews and will be deeply missed at our family dinners, golf outings, croquet games and Scrabble battles.
Our deepest thanks to her dear friend, Connie Kavanaugh, and her husband, Brian, for all their support and help during her illness. Also to the doctors, nurses and chaplain at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colo.
If desired, memorials may be sent to the Anamosa Library or United Church of Christ in Anamosa.
Published Sept. 30, 2012 in The Gazette
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