Emma J. Russell

Emma Julia (Stephey) Russell

Emma Julia (Stephey) Russell, 89, of New Holland, died Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Garden Spot Village, New Holland.

Born August 19, 1925, in Darby, Pennsylvania to Charles Henry Stephey and Florence May Elliott. Graduated from Darby High School in 1943, from Philadelphia General Hospital (Registered Nurse) in 1946, and from Eastern Nazarene College in Boston, Massachusetts in 1951 with her B.S. degree in Nursing.

Married Robert Z. Russell in 1955, who passed away in 1974. Survived by son Lee (wife Ruth Herring) of Kennett Square, PA; daughter Lois Fillippo (husband Gary) of West Chester, PA; and son Richard of Columbus, Ohio and daughter Renee McMichael (husband Aaron) of Fort Worth, Texas. She adored her granddaughters Jessica Russell and Kaitlyn Russell. And she was very proud of her nieces Diann (Stephey) Urbanski, Janice (Stephey) Grossman, Joy (Stephey) Juliano, Lisa (Stephey) Campbell, Linda Russell, Karen (Russell) Corbin, and her nephew Jonathan Russell. Also survived by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marian and John Russell of New Holland, PA.

Emma was an extraordinary example of “service above self”. She served her God and her country, as a long-time member of the Church of the Nazarene and as part of the Cadet Corps of Nurses during World War II. She was employed as an RN and worked and taught nursing at Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital in Darby, Pennsylvania and later in life at Brandywine Hall Nursing Home in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Emma loved music and sports. She was an accomplished pianist, and served as the lead pianist for churches in Collingdale, Media, and West Chester, Pennsylvania and taught piano to students in her home. And she played basketball for many years throughout high school, nursing school, and college.

Emma grew up in Darby, Pennsylvania but spent the majority of her married life living on a small farm in Gradyville, Pennsylvania, where she enjoyed her love of animals by helping to raise a pony and sheep and goats and chickens and ducks, among other farm animals. She loved being involved with the elementary schools in both Gradyville (Edgemont Elementary) and later in West Chester (Glen Acres Elementary), where she served as homeroom mom, PTA officer, school nurse, and pianist for various musical groups.

In 2002, Emma moved to Garden Spot Village in New Holland, Pennsylvania. She often said that she “never dreamed she would have it so nice” in the later years of her life. She had an independent living apartment in Garden Spot Village for many years, and enjoyed showing her apartment to potential new residents. She founded the “Retired Nurses Association” at Garden Spot Village, and was active in organizing meetings and activities for that group for many years. She continued to play the piano and organ at various functions, and more than anything enjoyed meeting and socializing with the other residents of Garden Spot Village.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 17 at 11:00 a.m. the Garden Spot Village Chapel, 433 S. Kinzer Ave, New Holland, Pennsylvania. Visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private at Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Garden Spot Village Benevolent Fund. To send the family online condolences visit us at www.groffeckenroth.com . Arrangements by Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland.