Theodora Russell

After 86 years of brightening the world, Theodora “Teddo” Russell passed away peacefully in her sleep in Bremerton Washington on July 11th, 2008.  She was surrounded by her three children, a close family friend and her dear dog, “Little Bear”.   Teddo lived her early life growing up in Washington D.C., attended Goucher College, and worked at the Phillips Gallery.    In the early 1960’s, she moved to New Smyrna Beach, FL, and received her Masters in Education from Stetson University.  She taught and influenced many children at Faulkner Street Elementary School for 22 years. Her greatest aspiration was to raise her kids well and have as much quality time with them as she could.  Teddo quickly became an icon in the New Smyrna Beach area with her fullness for life, fun, and kindness to others.   After retiring, Teddo kept busy tutoring area children, attending reading clubs and enjoying social activities with her neighbors and friends.  For the past year, she enjoyed living in Port Orchard with daughter Rebecca and her family and resided at the Park Vista Assisting Living for the last few weeks of her life. Teddo is survived by her children; Henry J. Russell of New Smyrna Beach, Nancy Henry of Makanda,  Illinois, and Rebecca Arnold and her husband Bill of Port Orchard, Washington; her grandchildren, Neil and Layna Henry, Lucy, Isabel and Olivia Arnold; many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her special family; Peter Landis, Paul Wagoner, and Rachel Bowles Hardock.   Perhaps her greatest legacies are the love, fun, comfort and kindness she gave so freely to everyone, and her gift of being happy and contented even when times were tough.  Her faith gave her comfort and helped her to find and nurture the best in everyone.  Her boundless love for life, people and animals were an inspiration to all.  Teddo celebrated every little thing, and truly appreciated the small wonders of life.  She never complained.  She was a rock, a hug and a pillow. A quiet memorial and celebration of her life is planned for August 9th at 2:00 pm on the lawn of her home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.  Teddo left a legacy of love, kindness and wisdom to her family, relatives, and friends.  Bon Voyage, Mom!  This is not good-bye, just a separation.