Obituary of Donna Maria Russell

Donna Maria Russell (née Caruso) After a Courageous battle with cancer this devoted follower of Christ Jesus went home to our Lord on February 15, 2022 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado at the age of 62.

Donna is survived by her devoted husband, Bryan. She lovingly raised 3 children from a previous marriage Sean, Brigid (Chase) and Audrey (Jared). She was also a wonderful stepmother to Susan (Nick) and Patrick (Danielle). Donna was grandmother to Chase Jr. and step grandmother of Adam, Greyson, Bowen and Parker. She was the oldest of 4 children and survived by siblings, Lisa, Thomas and Susan. She is preceded in death by parents Joseph L. Caruso and Elizabeth M. Caruso (née Churchill), of Collingswood NJ & Melbourne Fla.

Donna was born on July 10^th 1959 in Philadelphia Pa. to Joseph L. and Elizabeth M. Caruso. She graduated from Collingswood High School in 1977. She attended Ramapo College in North Jersey with a desire toward theatre and costume design but decided to move back home to South Jersey after 2 years and attend Rutgers College in Camden, NJ where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985. After a previous marriage, she finally married Bryan, her high school sweetheart and love of her life in September of 2013. After living in New Jersey for most of her life she moved to Denver, Colorado in 2015 as a result of her husband’s job transfer. Donna began working part time after the move to Colorado for AIG Retirement Services as an Administrative Assistant for 3 financial planners. Her children remember her as kind, gentle & patient, who home schooled them until high school and encouraged them to pursue their individual goals and with the knowledge of the love of Christ.

Donna was a caring and loving wife, an excellent cook, and loved to visit new places and go to the beach whenever possible. She was an accomplished quilter and often made quilts and blankets as gifts for friends, family and new babies. While in New Jersey, Donna was a proficient writer and worked on her college newspaper called the Gleaner, and later on at the Sentinel of Gloucester County, she also served as a teacher for the Literacy Volunteers of America. Donna was an active and dedicated member of Calvary Chapel Vineland prior to 2008, Calvary Chapel Bellmawr 2008-2014 and Calvary South Denver (CSD) 2015 to present. She was a dedicated member of the Crafting with a Cause group at (CSD) which handmade items for Alternatives Pregnancy Center and Hand in Hand in Africa.

Donna was an individual who loved our Lord Jesus and who was passionate about bible study where she taught in the Ladies Precept’s bible study group. She hosted a home small group bible study at our home in Highlands Ranch where we met some of the most wonderful and dedicated believers of our lives. She often volunteered in the children’s nursery on Sunday mornings, the Fall Harvest Gatherings and Operation Christmas Child shoe box packing parties. Donna will fondly be remembered as a very caring and giving person not only of her time but also of her talents who as the apostle Paul said in Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me”

A celebration of life is scheduled for 11am, Saturday the 5^th day of March 2022 at Calvary Chapel South Denver, with a luncheon to follow in the Open Door cafe. Pastor Gino Geraci will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Donna’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to https://www.gfa.org or https://www.compassion.com.

The family would like to thank The Steinhoff’s, The da Camara’s, The Paden’s, The Turner’s, and The Geraci Family; plus many others for their constant prayer and unwavering dedicated support during this extremely difficult time in our lives. We will always be grateful.

LIVESTREAMING: Livestreaming of the services will be held on March 5, 2022 at 11:00am. Please click on the link provided to watch the broadcast, and to share in rememberance of Donna with the Russell family. -https://youtu.be/diNQ30cw7nw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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