Mary Elizabeth Gant Russell passed away peacefully with family at her side at her home in Harahan, LA on February 04, 2018 after a lengthy illness. She was born in New Orleans on December 5, 1929, the only child of the late George Gant and Elizabeth Marie Aucoin. She was a graduate of Eleanor McMain High School in New Orleans. It was at the then Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now University of Louisiana Lafayette, she met the love of her life, the now deceased Marvin Roy Russell. They had been married 58 years at his passing in 2007 and she was never the same after his death. Mary leaves behind her grieving five children, She also leaves thirteen grandchildren and step-grandchildren.Mary is also survived by fifteen great-grandchildren.
Mary was a mother and homemaker, but as her children grew she never forgot her desire to finish her education with a college degree. She studied at Dominican College in New Orleans and there achieved her degree in education. She was a beloved teacher at St. Rita of Cascia School in Harahan for 10 years and also was a substitute teacher there. A kind person, generous of her time, she participated in many ministries. Among these, for many years she organized St. Rita's annual Christmas caroling for homebound elderly. Mary was a Eucharistic Minister for St. Rita Church and taught in their CCD program. She was honored in 1988 for her long service to church and school by being a recipient of the Order of St. Louis from the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Services will be held at St. Rita of Cascia Church, 7100 Jefferson Highway, Harahan, Louisiana, 70123 on Monday, February 12, 2018. Visitation will begin at the church at 10:00 AM with Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon.
