Joan Varmette Russell, 85, of North East, MD passed away on July 21, 2017 with her family by her side.

She was born in Fort Valley, GA to the late Dewey Varmette and Louise Peck on March 3, 1932.

Joan graduated from Newport High School in Vermont.  She received a Bachelor’s degree from Coppin State University in Baltimore, MD.  Joan worked as a Special Education Teacher for Cecil County Public Schools for 20 years.  After retirement she became actively involved with her volunteer work for the Turkey Point Light House.

Joan is preceded in death by her husband: Gerard ‘Del’ Russell (1928-1972); her son: Brian Russell (1956-2001); and her brother: Robert Varmette (1922-1944).

Joan is survived by her son: John Michael Russell, his wife Mary and their children Nicholas and Katarina of Baltimore, MD; her son: Terence Russell, his wife Guo Rong and their daughter Jennifer of Daytona Beach, FL; her daughter: Shari Bass, her husband Jay and their children Lindsey and Alexander of Ellicott City, MD; Gail Russell-Grose, her husband Gary of Townsend, DE and Gail’s children Michael, Sean and Timothy; Carole Oesch, her husband Gary of Zephyrhills, FL and Gary’s daughter Sarah; and Jeffrey Russell, his wife Jen and her son Ethan of Lewes, DE.  Joan is also survived by Tadda Payne and Leah Russell, children of her son: Brian Russell; brother: Charles Varmette of Shelburne, VT and her brother: David Varmette of Oregon City, OR.

Visitation will be held at Crouch Funeral Home, P.A., 127 S Main St., North East, MD on Tuesday July 25, 2017 from 6-8 PM.  Graveside funeral services will be held on Wednesday July 26, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Gettysburg National Cemetery Annex on National Cemetery Drive, Gettysburg PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Turkey Point Light Station, Inc., P.O. Box 117, North East, MD 21901 (www.tpls.org).

 Service Information