Patricia Marie Russell

She was an avid learner, always eager to expand her wealth of knowledge. As a young girl, she enjoyed being a member of the Wilmington Blue Rocks Drum and Bugle Corps, which sparked a lifelong adoration of drum and bugle corps competitions. She completed college at the University of Delaware, then traveled to Wurzburg, Germany. She returned to the States and moved to Flint, Michigan, where she poured all of her skills, efforts, talents, and love into raising her two kids, Ryan and Krista. She became an advocate for single parents seeking support, starting KINDER (Kids in Need Deserve Equal Rights), speaking before Congress, appearing on a national television show, and changing child support laws in the state of Michigan. As a journalist for the Flint Journal, her articles sparked the interest of a filmmaker, who used one of her articles as part of the documentary, “Roger and Me”.

Patricia was very proud of her involvement with General Motors. She began her career with GM in Flint, eventually taking a leap of faith in 1988, moving her family to Tennessee to start a new journey with the Saturn Corporation. Patricia flourished in her role and took the recruitment of new team members very seriously. She had a knack for remembering everyone’s name, what city they were from and the plant from which they transferred, no matter how many years later. She was a proud member of UAW Local 1853 and continued to support her brothers and sisters in the union during her retirement.

Upon retirement, Patricia picked up her life, once again, and moved to Florida. She made a host of new friends and enjoyed attending social events and volunteering at local food banks. When she moved to Fort Myers, she started hosting the Ladies Luncheon for her community at Arborwood Preserve. The outings grew exponentially and hosting these events was one of the many highlights of her retirement.

Patricia was affectionately known by her grandchildren as Minnie. Minnie was devoted to having as many experiences and adventures with her grandchildren as possible and showed them her love and dedication always.

Patricia is preceded in death by her beloved father, William V. Russell.

She leaves to grieve her loss her proudest accomplishments in life, her son and daughter, Ryan (Melissa) and Krista. She is also survived by her devoted mother, Mary B. Russell, siblings Kevin (Vangie), Lauren (Bruce), Steve (Grace), Paul (Blanca), Philip (Maureen), and Mark, a host of nieces and nephews, grandchildren Justin, Reed, Anastasia, Austin, Fowler, Jasper, and Nova, and great grandchild, August.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations in Patricia’s honor be made to Harry Chapin Food Bank, 3760 Fowler St. Fort Myers, FL 33901, harrychapinfoodbank.org, as Patricia greatly enjoyed volunteering for underserved communities.

Florida Celebration of Life: Wednesday, 11/29/2023, 4pm-5pm, Sunsets at Arborwood Preserve, 11730 Arborwood Preserve Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33913.

Arrangements for Wilmington, Delaware service to follow.