Obituary of RUSSELL – Elizabeth Jean

August 14, 1932 – May 23, 2010 Elizabeth (Bette) Jean Russell (nee Smerek) peacefully passed away on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at the age of 77 years, after a lengthy illness, at the Carewest Royal Park nursing home in Calgary. Bette was born on August 14, 1932 in Lethbridge. She married the love of her life, Leon Russell on June 3, 1950 and moved with him to Texas, where they made their home with their daughter Cindy until 1975, when they were fortunate to be able to return to Alberta to live. Bette’s husband Leon predeceased her in 2002. Bette leaves behind her daughter Cindy Russell and her granddaughter Kate Chakowski of Calgary; her brother Roy Smerek and his wife Maureen and their daughter Tammy of Banff; and her step-brother Nick deHaan of Calgary. Bette’s love for her family will live on forever; she will be sadly missed by all who knew and cherished her. The family would like to express deepest appreciation for the loving kindness extended to Bette by all of the staff at the Carewest Royal Park nursing home. A joint celebration of Bette’s and Leon’s lives will be announced and held at a later date. Bette will embrace Leon once more as their remains are interred together at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, USA where Leon will be honoured for his outstanding military service as a WWII fighter pilot with the United States Army Air Force. You may forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Elizabeth and Leon, two trees will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Calgary, AB, Canada Telephone: (403) 241-0044.