Helen Elisabeth "Bette" (Cook) Russell -
83, Truro, Nova Scotia, died peacefully at home,
surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, April 14, 2015.
Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick on April 11, 1932, she was
the daughter of Joseph and Helen (Stables) Cook. Her early years were
lived in Fredericton Junction and Dorchester where her father was a
bank manager. Upon graduation from high school she completed the Mount
Allison University Business College program. Moving to Moncton, she
was employed with Lockhart Woodworkers and Central Trust.
There she also was president of the Young Peoples Union (YPU) at St.
John’s United Church. Later she served as president of the
Moncton Presbytery YPU and vice-president of the Maritime Conference
YPU.
Throughout her life she enjoyed outdoor recreation and spent
one summer bicycling through the UK, Scandinavia and France with an
international hostelling group.
In 1956, she changed her vocation and graduated from the
Halifax Children’s Hospital, School of Nursing, and worked
as an RN in Moncton and Halifax. In 1960, she married
Stewart Russell, then a student for the ministry and serving the
church in Bear River. Following Stewart’s ordination she and
their infant daughter moved to serve in Native ministry on the Six
Nations Reserve in southern Ontario. They later moved back to the
Maritimes where they lived in several communities: Springhill,
Liverpool, Oromocto, Alberton, Old Barns, Campbellton, Newcastle,
retiring in 1995.
During those years Bette was active in the UCW, being
honoured with a life membership by Springhill UCW where she
co-operated to initiate a Head Start program for the
community. In Liverpool she also helped co-ordinate a Head
Start program and was a foster parent for troubled teenagers. After
her three children were in school she returned to nursing, at the same
time giving leadership in the Sunday School programs and the World
Mission committees of the church.
Along with her family, she enjoyed summers at their cottages,
both in Port Howe and later at Bayhead. Following retirement
they chose a home on the water of the Tatamagouche Bay. Here
she continued to serve church programs, the Quilting Guild, and served
as a secretary of the Lillian Fraser Hospital
Auxiliary.
Throughout her life she was a spirited and competent
supporter of church and community life and took great pleasure in her
friends, family, children and grandchildren. As a mother she offered
her children a strong example of community responsibility and gave a
witness of high principles and personal self-respect. She
was much loved and respected and will be greatly
missed.
She is survived by husband, Rev. Stewart B. Russell, husband
of 54 years; children, Miriam (Kevin) Fancey, Oakville, Ontario; John
Russell (Isabelle Mélançon), Dieppe, New
Brunswick; Ruth (Mike) Roberts, Bedford, Nova Scotia; grandchildren,
Matthew, Sarah, Andrew, Amélie, Jillian and Ben;
sisters-in-law, Doris Lockhart and Marina Russell; several nieces and
nephews.
The last surviving member of her generation, she was
predeceased by her two brothers, George (Gwen) Cook and David (Marion)
Cook; sister-in-law, Frances (Lionel) Funt; brothers-in-law, Keith
Russell and Ches Lockhart; nephew, Graeme Cook; many
cousins.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall - Varner
Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, Nova Scotia, where
Bette’s family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Saturday,
April 18, 2015. Funeral service will be held 1:30 p.m., Sunday, April
19, 2015, in Old Barns United Church, 2603 Highway 236, Old Barns,
Nova Scotia. Reception will follow in the church hall. Spring
interment will be held in Highland View Cemetery, Amherst, Nova
Scotia. Family flowers only. If so desired, donations in Bette can be
made to Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada or
Alzheimer’s Society. Private messages of condolence may be
sent to the family by viewing Bette’s obituary on-line and
selecting "Send A Condolence" at:
www.mattatallvarnerfh.com