Scheduled Services

Posts Tagged ‘RAPHAELA “VI” RUSSELL, RAPHAELA “VI” RUSSELL obituary, Funeralworks Obituary, Douglass Funeral Service’

PostHeaderIcon RAPHAELA “VI” RUSSELL of HADLEY, MASS, June 24, 1919 – November 1, 2014

Hadley, Raphaela “Vi” (Natale) Russell, 95, of Hadley, passed away on Saturday, November, 1, 2014, at home surrounded by the love of her family and caregivers.

She was born in Northampton, June 24, 1919, the daughter of Vito and Madeline Natale. She grew up in Northampton and graduated from Northampton High School taking a job at Pro Brush in Florence. She was married to William Russell Jr. for 55 years before his death in 1998. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Madeline “Carol” Pratt, sister, Antoinette Natale, brothers, Frank, James,and Joseph.

During her beginning years of marriage, she traveled with her husband in the US Air Force during World War II.  They came to settle as longtime residents of Amherst and then moving to Hadley. Raphaela devoted many, many years to being a loving, full time Mom to 5 children.  Her family always came first and brought her the greatest joys in life.  

She enjoyed gardening, sewing, cooking, and cheering on her children and later grandchildren as they participated in a variety of sports. In later years, as the last child left the “nest,” she decided to use her “flair for fashion,” first as a sales clerk in the former Ann August of Amherst and then The Salt Box. She was a warm, kind, and loving lady of great strength.  Her life was filled with wonderful memories of family beach trips to ME and NH, and gatherings and celebrations with family and the extended family she loved.

She will be dearly missed by her children: Raphaela Ann Telega Streeter and husband Al, William Russell III and wife Lynelle, Maureen Saltis and husband Bob, and Jerry Russell. She also leaves to cherish her memory: her 6 grandsons Ted, Dan, Bill, Mark, Len, and Jeremy; 8 granddaughters Kim, Tina, Joanne, Melissa, Jill, Jen, Kelly and Meagan; 16 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the loving care given to our Mother in her final years by special caregivers, Dayana and Cynthia as well as Barton’s Angels and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations in Raphaela’s memory may be made to either Hospice or VNA at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 168 Industrial Dr., Northampton, MA 01053 or to Highland Valley Elder Services, 320 Riverside Dr., Florence, MA 01060.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday November 10, 2014 at 10:00 am at St Brigid’s Church, Amherst. Burial will follow in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley. There are no calling hours. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Current Obituaries
To view full obituary details and/or sign the Memorial Guestbook click desired individual below.

ERIC DAY of EASTHAMPTON, MA died on March 1, 2024

ROBERT GRAY of AMHERST died on March 22, 2024

JOANNA HAYES of SHUTESBURY died on March 15, 2024

DENISON HARTMAN JONES of FLORIDA died on March 9, 2024

DONNA LEVIN of AMHERST died on March 23, 2024

MARTHA CHASE MITCHELL of AMHERST, MA died on February 11, 2024

LORNA M. PETERSON of AMHERST, MA died on March 16, 2024

PETER ALBERT (PAW) WARD of AMHERST died on March 3, 2024


Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!