1934 - 2016
Visitation
November 17, 20164 P.M. - 8 P.M.
Dolan Funeral Home
Funeral
November 18, 20169:00 A.M
Dolan Funeral Home
Blanche E. (Gonder) Russell died Monday Nov. 14, 2016 at the Southern NH Medical Center after a long illness.
She was happily married to Ronald Russell with whom she celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on Sept. 22.
Born in Mexico, Missouri on February 7, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Dorothy (Brooks) Gonder and James M. Gonder. Raised in Rantoul, Illinois, Blanche parted from her education to lovingly assist in supporting her five siblings and mother. She moved to Lowell, MA after marrying her husband, Ronald B. Russell, in 1955. They bought their first home in Tyngsboro where they lived from 1959 to 1981 and lived in Dunstable, MA from 1981-2005. Most recently they lived in Brookline, NH.
She was employed as a beautician and later worked for several local companies including Raytheon in Lowell, BASF in Bedford and BBN in Communication in Billerica.
Blanche was proud to serve her country by devoting a lifetime to the American Legion Post 247 Ladies Auxiliary and providing support and care for our veterans and service members. She was the first female Exalted Ruler of the Chelmsford Elks BPOE Lodge 2310 and held various positions over the years. She was also a Hereditary Lifetime Member of the Sampson Air Force Base Veterans Association.
She is survived by her loving husband, Ronald B. Russell of Brookline, NH; two sons Wesley W. Russell and his wife Pamela of Tyngsboro and Danny L. Russell and wife Shelbie of Londonderry; her daughter, Kimberly A. Brown and husband Scott of Brookline, NH; her sister Ruth Hess of Florida; her brother, Gerard Robert Gonder of Illinois. She was loved by five grandchildren, Ashley O’Dell, Sean and Kyle Russell, Tyler Phillips and Ryan Allin, a great grandchild, Edward O’Dell IV, and a great grandchild due in April.
Visiting hours are Thursday from 4 to 8:00 p.m. at the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 MIDDLESEX ST. CHELMSFORD, MA. Funeral Friday at 9:00 a.m. in the Funeral Home. Burial in Tyngsboro Memorial Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua, NH for their exceptional care. Arrangements are by DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041.
Donna Foltz
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Our Deepest Condolences for your loss. Blanche will de deeply missed by both of us. We will miss her warmth, her smile, and most of all her love. We love you all and are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Donna and Terry
Charlie P.
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Ron; So sorry to hear of Blanches’ passing. Green Eyes goes on to greener pastures! Charlie & Marie Panagiotakos
Sonia ouellette
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So sorry to hear about her passing…glad she did get a chance to see the world in the motor. home…my thoughts and prayers are with you Ron… Blanche was a great lady…I always admired her…
Sonia and dick.
Jen
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We are so sorry for your loss. Your family is in our prayers. We love you, if we can help at all please let us know. Love and God Bless, Rob and Jen Camann
Philip and Amelia Brown
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Sending our loves and prayers to you and your family. Rest In Peace
Brian SEPE
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She was truly a great woman! She always put others before herself & family! Veterans were always number one! God be with you Our sweet Lady! For all Our Veterans you have served, WE LOVE YOU , for Your SERVICE!
God BLESS!
Patricia Minnich
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Aunt Blanche was always one of my favorites of my mothers’ sisters. I remember her making me my first real theater pop corn when she worked as an usher at the movie theater in Rantoul, IL. Then, after the movie, we’d go to the drugstore for a cherry coke. And if I remember rightly, that was made by my other favorite aunt…Aunt Ruth. I was just 10 back then, so memories are dim now.
God Bless Aunt Blanche and Uncle Ron and all of my cousins. May you all continue to remember your Mom with as much love as she had for all of you.
Kim Brown (daughter)
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Thanks for sharing that memory, Patricia. One I never heard. Much love to you.
Sandy Desrosiers
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Dear Ron & Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Blanche was a loving, smart & funny lady.
She taught me so much & was a great friend. I am going to miss her dearly.
I bet she’s in heaven bringing all the Veterans together.
Love Sandy
Sheila and Ron Desjardins
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We are sorry for the loss of this beautiful devoted woman. She worked for me for years taking care of the disabiled during that time we became very close. She gave so much of herself to the people she loved and I admired her for that. She will be missed by everyone she met. My condolence to her family may they have comfort knowing she is loved.Reast in peace my friend love you!!!
Jim and Pauline Flannery
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To the family of Blanch so sorry to hear of her passing she’s an Angel in heaven looking over you may she rest in peace yours truly Jim and Pauline Flannery.
Jim and Pauline Flannery'll
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To the family of Blanch so sorry to hear of her passing she’s an Angel in heaven looking over you may she rest in peace yours truly Jim and Pauline Flannery.
Leo Doyle
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Hi Ron So Very Sorry For Your Loss Sincerly Leo Doyle….
James A. Davis
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Hello Ron,
Sorry for the late response.
Our Condolences for your loss.. You are and will be in our prayers.
Jim & Delores Davis