Jenny Powell Russell, age 70, passed away in her home in Houston on Tuesday, October 9th after a long fight with cancer.

Jenny was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on September 12th, 1948. She was raised in Garland, Texas, and received a Bachelor of Arts from Stephen F. Austin University. Shortly after, she met and fell in love with John Russell, and they were married on Saint Patrick's Day, March 17th, 1973. She used her intelligence, love, and patience to good effect as an English and History teacher for many years, but she found her true calling working with small children as a pre-school teacher. No one who ever met her failed to note that she was an exceptionally kind woman, and she maintained many strong lifelong friendships even over great distances. She was deeply curious and loved to read about many things including archeology, history, and science fiction. She especially loved nature, as evidenced by her beautiful garden and lifelong expertise in caring for plants. She also championed many charities and school organizations that focused on helping young people find success in life. In recent years, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of traveling to Europe, taking several trips with friends and her husband from the shimmering Aegean to the majestic Alps. She always loved cats, and she took great comfort during her illness from two beloved pets, KB and Ymir.

She is survived by her husband, John Russell, children Emily and Jeff, his wife Susannah, and sister Mollie and her husband, Jean François Panetton. She is joining her parents, Norman and Ladona Powell, in Heaven.

Service Schedule