Helen Elisabeth "Bette" (Cook) Russell
1932 - 2015
Helen Elisabeth "Bette" (Cook) Russell
Visitation Information
Visitation
April 18, 2015
Visitation Time
6-8 PM
Visitation Location
Mattatall - Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro
Service Information
Service Date
Sunday April 19, 2015
Service Time
1:30 PM
Service Location
Old Barns United Church, 2603 Highway 236, Old Barns
Burial Information
Burial Date
Spring 2015
Burial Location
Highland View Cemetery, Amherst
Requested Charity
Mission & Service Fund of United Church of Canada or Alzheimer's Society
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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

 

Helen Elisabeth "Bette" (Cook) Russell