Marie Russell, 100
Marie Russell, 100, of Butte, Montana passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Montana Veterans Home, in Butte, Montana, surrounded by the love of her family.
Marie was born on August 13, 1926 in Meaderville, Montana to the late Ambrose and Mary Ghiringhelli. She enjoyed the most wonderful and memorable childhood in Meaderville, growing up surrounded by friends, family, and the close-knit Italian community that she loved. Growing up, she also especially enjoyed spending time at the Columbia Gardens in Butte. Alongside her best friend, Hazel, Marie also made memories that would last a lifetime. She attended Butte schools and graduated from Butte High School, beginning a lifetime rooted in people, places, and traditions of the community she called home. After graduating from Butte High School, she worked at Safeway as a bookkeeper.
In 1948, she met the love of her life, John T. "Jack" Russell, at the Columbia Gardens Pavilion. From that first dance, their love story began that evening and would span decades. Marie and Jack were married on August 7, 1949 at St. Helena's Catholic Church in Meaderville in a double wedding ceremony with Marie's sister, Rosy and her husband, Tommy Jones.
After their wedding, Marie and Jack began their life together starting a family of their own, eventually going on to have nine wonderful children, filling their home with the love, laughter, and joys that came with raising a family. For Marie, motherhood became the work of her heart and the role she cherished most. In 1968, Jack and Marie would become owners of the Bonanza Freeze in Butte, which would become a place where families gathered, friendships were made, and countless sweet memories were made.
Marie will be remembered for the love she gave so freely, selflessly, and for the countless simple joys that filled her life. She belonged to a sewing club and Bridge Club. She found happiness in making Christmas cookies, crocheting, knitting, cross-stitching, and tole painting. She was always creating something with her hands and often something that would become a treasured keepsake for someone she loved. She took great pride preserving the memory of her children in baby books and cherishing the stories and moments that made their family special. She had a great devotion to the Rosary and the Blessed Mother. She also loved the traditions that brought family and friends together, whether it be Tuesday afternoon picnics, family time at the cabin in Elk Park or Holland Lake, holiday dinners, Saturday mornings spent finding treasures at garage sales, or watching her beloved Packers. Her love of sports extended to watching the World Series every year, Super Bowl pull-tabs. She also looked forward to Bingo each week. Marie was known for her wit, sharp sense of humor, and gentle strength. She was brutally honest and known as the "Spicy Italian".
Her greatest love, though, was her family and time spent with them. She cherished every opportunity to be together, whether it was snuggling a newborn grandchild, or enjoying the breeze from her front porch swing with someone she loved. Marie had a way of making each person she knew feel loved, accepted, and understood. For her, these simple moments were never ordinary, they were the moments that mattered most.
Marie is preceded in death by her parents, Ambrose and Mary Ghiringhelli,: her daughter, Angela; sister, Rosy, and grandson, Rob.
She is survived by her children, Colleen, Nan (Charlie), Mary (John), Mike (Pam), Tim (Anna), Suzanne (Bob), Tom (Leigh-Ann) and Lisa (Vern). She is also survived by twenty-nine grandchildren and thirty-seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 22, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Parish, with the funeral service beginning at 12:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers please donate to St Jude Children's Hospital, which was dear to Marie's heart or a charity of your choice.