Barbara "Anne" O'Hara Russell

Anne was a blessing to all who knew her and will be greatly missed!

She was born in Lewistown, PA, the second daughter of George Osborne O’Hara and Margaret Thomas (Weber) O’Hara. The family moved to Niagara Falls, NY, when she was very young, where she grew up with her older sister, Mary, and younger siblings, Henry and Denise.  After moving a few times during her childhood, she came to Long Beach with her family when she was 25.

She received her Bachelor’s degree from New York State Teacher College at Buffalo and taught Home Economics in New York and later in San Pedro and at LBCC.

In 1952, she met her soon-to-be husband, James “Jim” Russell, and they married on December 27, 1953.  They raised five children in Long Beach.  Amid the demands of raising an active family, she remained strong and faithful to her Catholic faith. Her family were parishioners at St. Cornelius and later she moved to Our Lady of Refuge parish.  After her husband suffered an impairing stroke in 1978, she studied and became a State Farm Insurance Agent, using determination, keen business skills, and her care for others to succeed. With more than 20 years in business, she retired and took care of her husband who developed Parkinson’s disease.  They moved to Anaheim with her daughter’s family where Jim died peacefully at home in 2007.  At her new parish of St. Justin Martyr, she continued to be active, including becoming a Eucharistic Minister to the sick.

Anne had many activities she enjoyed. She loved to read, cook, sew, knit, and entertain, especially for her family.  She enjoyed playing and winning many games such as Bridge, Cribbage, Scrabble, Huggermugger, Rummikub, Words with Friends, and most recently Skyjo.  She even enjoyed playing Mahjong the week before she passed away!  At 95, she still loved to be with family and friends, and never lost her love and consideration for others.

As a final blessing in her life, she left us surrounded by family while praying the Rosary, a special prayer she prayed often.

Anne is predeceased by her husband, James Russell, her eldest son, John, sister, Mary Grobaty, and brother, Hank O’Hara.  She is survived by her sister, Denise Forgeron, children Bob, Jim (Maureen), Carol (Ed), and Bill (Tricia), along with her 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 11 nieces and nephews.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401