Virginia Russell

Virginia Rose (Paugh) Russell, 83, Freeland resident and past longtime resident of Anacortes, passed away peacefully on Jan. 10, 2012.

Virginia was born Feb. 18, 1928, in Ava, Mo. She was the second child of Laurence Edwin Paugh and Alma Nellie Paugh (Northrup). She moved as a small child to Modesto, Calif., and attended a two room schoolhouse, Hart Elementary, where she met her future husband Charles James Russell, III. Both Charlie and Virginia graduated from Modesto High School. Virginia graduated at 16, accelerating her studies so that she and Charlie could start their life together.

Virginia and Charles married in 1944, when Charlie was a newly enlisted service man. Virginia was just 16 years old when she traveled alone from California to Illinois for her wedding. The couple moved to Anacortes in 1951 where Virginia lived until moving to Freeland in 2007. Virginia attended Skagit Valley College and was the valedictorian of her class. She then attended Western Washington University and earned a teaching certificate, graduating salutatorian of her class. She also earned a master’s degree in Psychology at Western. She taught high school English at Anacortes High School.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents Laurence and Alma, her husband Charles of 56 years, two brothers and one sister.

Virginia is survived by her daughters, Joyce Holeman and her husband Jerry of Okanogan, Wash., and Betty Brewer and her husband Ted of Agassiz, British Columbia; five grandchildren, James Woodruff of Lynnwood, Gerald Woodruff of Ponderay, Idaho, Rose Mann of Salem, Ore., Susan Sandberg of Clinton and Paul Record of Bellingham. Other family members include 11 great grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. Her local family includes granddaughter Susan Sandberg and her husband Garth Sandberg and their daughter, her beloved great-grand-daughter Elli Sandberg.

Virginia’s life included many adventures including scuba diving and boating, travel throughout the country on a BMW motorcycle with her husband Charlie, RV travels with Charlie, and after his death with her daughter Joyce. Virginia and Joyce spent a summer fishing and camping in the wilds of Alaska. She also took several extended RV trips with her granddaughter Susan and great granddaughter Elli.

The family would like to thank the staff of Whidbey General Hospital who helped make her final journey peaceful. Special thanks also go to Dr. John Oakland, the nursing staff in ICU and the caring staff of Maple Ridge Assisted Living in Freeland.

Virginia did not wish to have a public memorial gathering, and asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to a charity of the sender’s choice in her honor.