Catherine Elizabeth Russell

Catherine Elizabeth Russell (Cathy) was born to the union of Portland Entrepreneur, William T. Russell Sr. (Bill) and Mandy M. Randall, in Portland, Oregon on October 11, 1957. From this union, Cathy was the 6th youngest of seven siblings, Billy Jr., Jeanette, Velma, Edwin, Sylvia, and Angela.

Growing up in the Portland Albina neighborhood, Cathy enjoyed a life of fun with her family and neighborhood friends living on Kerby Street. She attended Boise Grade School, and later went to Jefferson High School, where she was a member of the Jefferson Demos Drill Team.

During Cathy’s early years, she moved to the sunshine state of California with her mother, Mandy, and sisters, Velma and Angela. Cathy worked at Macy’s in the late 70’s and enjoyed the experience of California life. Later, along with her mother and sister, she moved back to Portland, Oregon to be with family and friends.

Cathy's favorite activities were walking, beach trips, shopping, watching her son Jaylen’s track meets, listening to smooth jazz, spending time with her grandkids, cooking for family and neighbors, and talking on the phone. Her passion for cooking and sharing food didn’t only extend to her family and friends, Cathy would share her cooking with the homeless and less fortunate.

Cathy was a resilient, kind hearted, outspoken woman who would say how she felt. She was an active parent volunteer at Irvington School where she blessed the teachers and staff with her soul food cuisine. Cathy was always one who others enjoyed to be around. She was a loving daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, grandmother, and friend.

Cathy is preceded in death by her parents, Mandy and Bill; sisters, Carolyn and Sylvia; brother, Edwin; and additional family members and friends that she has missed through the years.

Cathy is survived by her children, Devon, Latrell, Kamelah, Jamal, and Jaylen.; siblings, Billy Jr., Jeanette, Velma, and Angela; grandchildren, Jasmine, Daniel Jr. (Junior), and Jackson; cousins, Catherine (Blondie), Diane, Dorothy, Tyesis, and Jessie; godmother, Bonnie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Cathy would always say, “Don’t hold grudges ‘cause life is too short.”

Poem of Life:

Life is but a stopping place,

A pause in what's to be,

A resting place along the road,

To sweet eternity.

We all have different journeys,

Different paths along the way,

We all were meant to learn some things,

But never meant to stay..

Our destination is a place;

Far greater than we know.

For some the journey's quicker,

For some the journey's slow.

And when the journey finally ends,

We'll claim a great reward,

And find an everlasting peace,

Together with the Lord.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Catherine Elizabeth Russell, please visit our floral store.