Marie Carmel (Paff) Russell

Marie Carmel Russell, R.N., 97, of Scranton and formerly of Dunmore, died Friday evening at home with her loving family at her side.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Harry Russell, in 1983.

Born at Hahnemann Hospital in Scranton on June 27, 1928, daughter of the late Edmund and Rachel Popoli Paff, she was a graduate of Dunmore High School and the St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in South Scranton.  Prior to retiring, she had been employed a St. Mary’s Hospital and later at Hahnemann Hospital, now Geisinger-Community Medical Center, as a registered nurse.  After beginning her career in the records room and as a nighttime nurse, she moved on to labor and delivery where she remained for 23 years until her retirement.  She loved nursing, and being able to work in various departments and facilities allowed her the opportunity to assist people throughout all stages of life.

Upon retiring, Marie continued her work in the nursing field, but on a volunteer basis.  In 1991, she joined the Community Medical Center Auxiliary where she was active as a liaison between doctors, nurses and patients’ family members. She was also known to give her time to the Maternal Health Program at the Scranton Primary Center as well as with the American Red Cross for their blood drives. 

Her volunteer efforts reached far beyond hospital and medical settings, with roots in her commitment to service at SS. Anthony and Rocco Parish in Dunmore, where she was a devoted and lifelong parishioner.  In her youth, Marie began assisting her mother with the church annual spaghetti dinners and picnics, and as the years went on, could be found at the parish bake sales making pizza fritas.  She also brought her caring spirit to St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton where she would help serve the hungry twice a week.  Marie would even be seen at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple where she would periodically assist with concession sales.

In 2015, at the age of 87, Marie was honored by the Times-Tribune as part of its weekly Northeast Woman series.  The following year, she was featured in Happenings Magazine for their spotlight on local volunteers. 

The dedication Marie gave to nursing and volunteer work was only exceeded by the love she gave to her family.  She is survived by daughters Mary Margaret Smirne and husband Michael, and Jean Marie Rivera and husband José; a son, Joseph Russell; grandchildren Rosario Smirne and wife Arioth, and Maria Smirne; great-grandchildren Dominic, Rocco, and Luca Smirne; and Antonia Piccini; as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Marie’s family wishes to gratefully extend a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful care of Hospice of the Sacred Heart, as well as to her special caregivers Donna, Marlynn, Christine, and Jennifer for all of the compassion shown to Marie during her times of need. 

The funeral will be Thursday from the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Smith St., Dunmore. Interment to follow in Cathedral Cemetery, West Scranton. 

Family and friends may pay their respects that morning from 9-10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 30 E.D. Preate Drive, Suite 108, Moosic, PA 18507.