Mary Elizabeth (Whaley) Russell

Mary Elizabeth Russell

Mary Elizabeth (Whaley) Russell (“Tweedla”) passed away peacefully on September 16th, 2020 with her younger son at her side, shortly after her elder son, daughter-in-law and niece said their goodbyes to her at EvergreenHealth Hospice Center in Kirkland, Washington.

Mary was born June 29, 1935 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to her parents Allan George Whaley and Ernyl Beatrice (Hurley) Whaley. She was the younger of two children. She received her education in Milwaukee schools where she graduated from Holy Angels Academy and attended Marquette University. She graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1959. She worked as a nurse at Milwaukee Children’s Hospital and the former Sacred Heart Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was a member of the Catholic church and a homemaker. After her children were grown, she enjoyed gardening, travel, taking continuing education classes and genealogy.

Mary is survived by her sons Chris (Tracy) of Seattle, Washington and Mike of Woodinville, Washington; her daughter Karen of Richland, Washington; a niece Kelley (Michael) Whaley Bonfoey of Lake Junaluska, North Carolina; a nephew Christopher (Tonya) Whaley of Tucker, Georgia and a grandniece Lauren Kelley Brown. She was preceded in death by her brother Dr. Robert (Ann) Allan Whaley, M.D., of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Due to COVID-19, interment will occur at a future date, likely near where her parents are interred at Calvary Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Donations in Mary’s name to EvergreenHealth Hospice Center in Kirkland, Washington are welcome.

Rest in peace, Tweedla. You will be dearly missed.