Jeannette R. Russell

Jeannette passed away peacefully at home on October 6, 2018. She was 92. Over the course of her long and productive life Jeannette was a loving wife, foster mother, sister, aunt and friend. She was a very strong and very smart woman who cared deeply for the people in her life. Jeannette lived independently in Loomis Lakeside at Reed’s Landing where she was fully involved in the community. Even into her 90’s she was taking on new challenges such as creative writing. Born on October 18th, 1925, to Anthony and Marcella (Petkunas) Rackauskas, Jeannette was the 4th of 5 children in a Lithuanian family that included 3 brothers, Theodore, Albert and Joseph, and her sister Grace, all of whom preceded her in death. She was twice widowed, most recently in 2007 by her husband of 36 years, Dr. Vincent P. Russell, also of Springfield. After graduating from high school in Worcester, MA, Jeannette pursued an administrative career that took her from Worcester, to Boston, to New York City. She became an assistant to Dr. Russell in his practice as a psychologist and eventually settled in Springfield. Jeannette and Dr. Russell raised a foster child together, Gary Lamy, Jr. and she continued to be a strong advocate for Gary throughout her life. Jeannette was beloved by her nieces and nephews with whom she maintained a strong connection across many years and long distances. She made enduring friendships and relished spending time with her friends, as they did with her. Funeral services for Jeannette will begin at 10AM on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA with a Liturgy of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 AM in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut St. Springfield, MA. Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester. There will be a gathering of family and friends at the funeral home from 9AM to 10AM. For online condolences please visit www.forastiere.com.