Elizabeth M. Russell

Longtime Corvallis resident Elizabeth (Beth) M. Russell died at her home at Regency Park Place. She was 97. She was born in Spokane, Wash., to Thurza and Joseph Russell. The family moved to Corvallis when Beth was 3, and she lived here most of her life. She attended Corvallis public schools and Oregon State College (now Oregon State University), and graduated with a degree in home economics. She briefly taught home economics and history at Crane High School in Eastern Oregon. Throughout her childhood and into adulthood, she helped in the office of the family business, the Russells’ Hatchery, on Highway 34. Later in adulthood she worked for Southern Pacific Railroad, at the Corvallis station, occasionally filling in at the Albany and Salem depots. She worked in various capacities, and retired from Southern Pacific in 1976. Once retired, Beth became a Peace Corps volunteer in 1977 and served for two years in Ghana. Additionally, Beth loved to travel. In her life she traveled in 70 different countries, mainly on her own. She enjoyed train travel and once visited all 48 continental states in 48 days. Beth was a lifetime member of First Christian Church in Corvallis, and had a strong faith. She was very active in the community, serving in many capacities in the Madison Avenue Task Force, the OSU Extension’s Master Gardeners program, the Benton County Historical Society, the OSU Alumni Association, Sigma Kappa Sorority, the Democratic Party, the Soroptimists, the Native Plant Society, the Former Peace Corps Volunteers organization, and the Corvallis Garden Club, of which she was president two inconsecutive years. Beth loved photography, gardening, flower arranging, art appreciation, collecting souvenirs and holding her cat(s). She was an avid reader of the local newspaper and magazines. She actively clipped and filed interesting articles. She also was a fervent archivist and kept copious ledgers, journals and accounts of travels, etc. Beth was preceded in death by her parents and four of her siblings, Albert Russell, Etta Belle Richards, Jo Anne Anderson and John Russell. She is survived by one sister, Alice Russell Hoecker of Eugene; and numerous nephews, nieces, and great- and great-great-nephews and nieces. Beth will be missed by her family and friends. A celebration of life service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at First Christian Church in Corvallis. All memorial contributions can be made to the church.

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Elizabeth M. Russell

January 29, 1916 - May 26, 2013