Marilyn E. Russell

July 19, 1943 – December 10, 2022

Marilyn Russell, born in Newark NJ on July 19, 1943, passed away on December 10, 2022, from complications of heart disease. Marilyn’s children were with her when she passed, and she is now reunited with the love of her life, her husband, William Russell.

Marilyn was born to Rudolph and Josephine Treusch and raised in Union, NJ. While Marilyn retired to Florida and then relocated to Connecticut, she never stopped being a Jersey girl through and through. She graduated from Benedictine Academy in 1961. She went on to graduate from Berkeley Secretarial School in 1963, which prepared her for a career as a legal secretary. She grew her career to become a paralegal, due in part to her hard work and compassion, but also as her favorite boss Nat Yohalem said, “she never took any crap.”

While Marilyn loved her legal career, she was most proud of her two children – Erin born in December1967 and Michael born two years later in January1970. She was happiest when she was spending time with Michael, Erin and their children, although she also enjoyed traveling around the United States, debating the politics of the day, and flexing her competitive muscles with all sorts of games. Her friendly demeanor garnered her many online friends, made through years of gaming together. Marilyn also fathomed herself an armchair sleuth from her love of watching crime series on TV and learned to play the dulcimer later in life, performing in Florida.

Marilyn is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Joanne and Dominic Belmonte of Lake Hopatcong, NJ, her daughter and son-in-law, Erin Byrne and Robert Holmqvist of New Milford Connecticut, and her son and his partner, Michael Irwin and Patty Flannery-Delvecchio of Manalapan, NJ. She was also fortunate enough to love nieces, grandchildren, and great nieces and nephews. 

The family wishes to thank her many dedicated clinicians, especially the skilled staff of Village Crest in New Milford, CT for their care of Marilyn during her last year of life. They also thank her roommate at Village Crest, Helen Carlowitz, for her friendship and care of Marilyn.

Calling hours will take place at Lillis Funeral Home on Thursday, December 15 from 10am-12pm followed by burial at New Milford Center cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in memory of Marilyn to the Vascular Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, oronline www.DementiaSociety.org/donate.