Obituary of Patricia Russell

Patricia Anne Russell 1926 - 2012 Patricia (Patty) Anne Russell passed away peacefully on March 5, 2012 in Boise, Idaho. Patty was born in San Jose, California on April 13, 1926 to Hayden W. Pitman and Marjorie A. Pitman. She attended San Jose High School and graduated in 1944. Following high school she attended San Jose State College where Patty met Harry G. Russell. On September 6, 1946 she married Harry who was from San Anselmo, California. They lived in San Jose for a short time where their first son, Gregory and their first daughter, Heidi was born. Harry received his commission in the Air Force. That began the great adventure of traveling across the country and living in many different states. Their second son, Mark was born while they were stationed in Battle Creek, Michigan. Their second daughter, Candice and third daughter, Susan were born in Homestead, Florida while stationed there. In 1961 Harry was stationed to Mountain Home, Idaho. Patty and Harry fell in love with Idaho. In 1963 they were stationed to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. They would buy a home in Napa, California and live there until after Harry retired. In 1972 they moved to Kwajalein where they lived for five years. Returning to the states they built a home in Incline Village, Nevada. Two years later Patty and Harry moved to Alaska where they lived for two years. In 1980 they finally got it right and settled down in Boise. Patty was an accomplished artist, ceramics, oils, acrylics and pastels. She owned her own knitting machine business, where she sold knitting machines and gave lessons. She was active in 4-H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts. Patty acted in numerous small production plays. She created puppets and wrote and conducted puppet plays with her daughters, Candice and Susan. Patty became interested in designing quilts. She started many and finished none of them. It wasn't that it was difficult for her she said; she was just bored and went on to design another quilt. Patty was an avid gardener, her yard and vegetable gardens were her pride and joy. Patty's personal greatest pride was becoming the first female postal worker at Kwajalein. Patty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harry and her brother Hayden Pitman Jr. She is survived by: Children, Gregory Russell, Heidi Russell, Mark Russell, Candice Nissim, Susan Russell; Grandchildren, Katrina Adams, Nathan Adams, Kyle Adams, Heather Russell, Joshua Russell, James Russell, Leah Eizadi, Hannah Nissim; Great-grandchildren, Elyjah Adams, Lilly Adams, Jonas Russell, Miles Eizadi, Ruby Bacila; Nieces, Heather Riha, Katherine Huit, Caroline Beniasians; and Nephew Stewart Pitman. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to cure Pancreatic Cancer or to the Animal Rescue of your choice. Funeral services for Patty will be Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Summers Funeral Home, 3629 E. Ustick Road, Meridian, ID. Burial will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery.