Sallie E. Russ

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Sarah Ellen (Sallie) Russ on Friday, August 29th, at the Mary Ann Morse Healthcare Center in Natick, Massachusetts. Born on August 1, 1942, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Sallie graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School in 1960 and Kutztown State University in 1965. She moved to Massachusetts in 1968 and taught in the Waltham schools for the next 32 years. Using humor, discipline, and empathy, Sallie motivated her students and had a profound influence on their lives. Many of her former students maintained contact with her throughout the years, and the refrigerator and bulletin boards in her Natick kitchen were covered with their family pictures. This reflected the remarkable bond that existed with her students.

Sallie was a woman of many talents and interests. She received good grades in college while working as a waitress in the dining hall and performed in plays and musicals in high school and college. She was a formidable tennis player but was sadly lacking when it came to scoring points in the annual Fourth of July bocce tournament held by the family of her friend of 70 years on the Cape. Sallie, however, proudly displayed her yearly last place ribbon in a place of honor in her living room. A voracious reader, she kept a meticulous record of the books she read to invariably announce that "she didn't like the way it ended" and proceed to describe the correct outcome.

Sallie was a fashion icon. No event was too trivial not to warrant a stylish ensemble, accessorized to the hilt. She loved bright colors, purple being her favorite, and with her height and stature, was always attired in "a classy and in vogue" manner. Although appearing very expensive, Sallie prided herself in never paying full price for her "fashion finds."

She cared deeply about people and always rooted for the underdog, both in sports and in life. Not one to sit on the sidelines, Sallie supported the teachers' union throughout the years and acquired training in order to become certified to monitor a suicide hotline in Waltham. Everyone mattered to Sallie, no matter what their station in life, and she always displayed respect and compassion toward everyone she encountered. She cherished her many friendships, from her pals of 50 years to the workers at Stop & Shop, her gas station, and her bank, to whom she sent cards on their birthdays and inquired about their families.

A major testimony to her generosity and compassion was her commitment to the Big Sister Program, which she joined at the age of 27. Her little sister-to-be was 7 at the time. They were an integral part of each other's lives for the next 55 years, and when Sheila said goodbye to Sallie, she thanked her for being her mother, big sister, and best friend, adding "I probably wouldn't be here right now if it hadn't been for you."

Sallie was the daughter of the late William and Sallie (Mellon) Russ and was predeceased by her brother William Russ, brother-in-law Barry Mindler, and nephew Barry Mindler, Jr. She is survived by her sister Anne Mindler, and her beloved sister-in-law Terri Russ, a niece Tina Thomas, a nephew Michael Russ, and her great-nephew Ryan Thomas and great-niece Sarah Russ, all of Pennsylvania.

Sallie did not have an easy life, but she comported herself with grace, dignity, and humor and epitomized a feisty, proud, Irish redhead. She worked hard, offered no excuses, and inspired others to be better people. If you were lucky enough to have Sallie as a friend, then you were blessed to have someone who would always have your back.

Please keep Sallie in your prayers and whenever you think of her, smile, then raise a glass, phone a friend, pet a dog, or perform an act of kindness, and the legacy of a life well-lived will endure.

Per Sallie's wishes, there will be no services. 

Contributions in her name to St. Jude Children's Hospital https://www.stjude.org or MSPCA https://www.mspca.org would be greatly appreciated.