Giampaola "Janet" Russell

Giampaola “Janet” Russell

Giampaola “Janet” Russell, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed from this life on October 20, 2015.  She was born in Wesseling, Germany to Giuseppe Martini and Gallerana Ronchucci on June 22, 1944.  She was raised in Italy and lived in Germany before immigrating to the United States in 1968.  She wed the love of her life, Allan “Russ” Russell, on July 7, 1974 at Travis Air Force Base in California.  Living the life of an Air Force wife, she lived and traveled throughout the United States and Europe with her husband and three children.

She was known by family and friends as a loving, caring, hardworking soul.  She loved working with kids and was employed in a number of different child care positions over the years.  She spent the last nineteen years of her working life with the Davis County School District Family Enrichment Program, where she helped children in the Head Start Program. In her spare time, she worked at Red Lobster.  After retiring from the school district, she and Russ delivered food to senior citizens through the Meals on Wheels program.  Even in retirement, she wasn’t content with taking it easy and insisted on helping others until she could no longer do so.  She simply refused to be “cooped up in the house” despite suggestions that she relax and enjoy the fruits of her hard work.

Free time and hobbies always involved spending time with family.  When the children lived at home, time was filled with playing cards, watching her sons play sports, camping and traveling throughout Europe. The family was lucky enough to live in Germany for six years.  It was during this time that Janet and her family would travel to her childhood home of Italy, where she spent time with her father, sister and brother.  Her family also enjoyed skiing, although she did not ski herself.  Instead, Mom was always waiting at the lodge, ready to warm cold hands. She always put family first.

She is survived by her loving husband Allan B. Russell, three children, George A. Russell, Christopher M. Russell and Allan B. Russell; six grandchildren; and Franca Lachi, one of her two siblings.

A private memorial service was held on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.